I write with deep concern because God's Word makes it plain that without rightly dividing the word of truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15), one cannot come to a clear and saving knowledge of Christ in this present dispensation of grace. Right division is not an optional study method; it is God's command for how His Word is to be understood. Failure to make the distinction between Israel's prophetic program and the mystery revealed to Paul for the Body of Christ leads only to confusion, and confusion in the gospel is eternally dangerous.
Paul makes a bold statement in Galatians 1:11-12, declaring that the gospel he preached was "not after man," but received by direct revelation of Jesus Christ. This message, summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. This alone is the gospel of salvation today. Yet if we blend this with Israel's gospel of the kingdom, which involved repentance, water baptism, and looking for the Messiah's earthly reign, we pervert the truth and trust in a message God is not offering in this age.
Paul warned soberly that any who preach another gospel are accursed ( Galatians 1:8-9). That is why right division is vital-it protects us from confusing law with grace, earthly promises with heavenly, and faith plus works with faith alone in Christ's finished work. God has only one gospel today, the gospel of the grace of God ( Acts 20:24). To miss this truth, or to mix it with another program, is to miss salvation itself.
I urge all to believe the message Christ gave to Paul for us. Trust completely in His finished work on the cross, apart from anything you can add. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of works ( Ephesians 2:8-9). Without rightly dividing, the gospel becomes distorted, and distorted truth cannot save.
I do not think it is necessary for one to apply dispensational ideas to Scripture to be able to properly and accurately understand the Gospel taught by Jesus to the apostles, including Paul. He is the source of truth for all of us, Jew or Gentile. The church from the first century on has understood , taught, defended, and expounded on the one true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In stating that one needs to apply dispensational tenets in order to rightly know the Gospel is to say that no one before Darby, Scofield, et al knew the Gospel truly. That is a false idea and blatantly so. Even I as a very young child knew and understood the Gospel and believed in my Lord without any help from dispensationalism as have millions and millions of other believers over the ages. Darby taught that his little group of Plymouth Brethren believers were the sole true church and those in any other church were in false churches. This belief of Darby is quite concerning as it led to the Brethren movement he led becoming Exclusive, not recognizing any other believers as being true believers or teaching the truth of Scriptures. Such beliefs and behaviors by a leader are signs of a cult and any Christian should be wary of becoming involved in any sect that operates this way.
In my last reply, which you made a reply to all, I mentioned one verse that Paul taught about the kingdom of God. We also see in Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:21, and Ephesians 5:5. I could list more.
As I mentioned earlier, I am not familiar with dispensationalism, a concept that didn't emerge until the 19th century. I also believe that the idea of the rapture of the Church isn't supported by Scripture. If you don't mind, what is the dispensationalist understanding of the kingdom of God? Is there no need for repentance and baptism? Will the Church be in heaven during the 1000 years?
I prefer to read the Bible and let others have their own interpretations. It's not hard if the truth is sought . I love reading the scriptures consistently! It's men that invent their own doctrine, that's why we have 100s of denominations that can't agree . Apostle Paul told the Corinthians to agree on all things . It's a small crowd I'm sure . The word is plain to read . And I love it !
Well said. I was struck by your statement, 'I prefer to read the Bible and let others have their own interpretations.' God wrote for our understanding and all that comes between, it is devil himself. He comes in form of false teachers and false brethren. Unless grace is given from above no man shall benefit from the book of life. Faith must be strong enough to the courage of our own understanding that is not seeking praise of man nor of promotion by agreeing to those who are in positions to reward. Balaam's reward was that he heard an ass bray, no thank you.
My lord God spared not his Son for my salvation. To be called' well done, you faithful servant'in more precous than all the jackasses braying heresies over what they really do not understand.
I write with deep concern because God's Word makes it plain that without rightly dividing the word of truth ( 2 Timothy 2:15), one cannot come to a clear and saving knowledge of Christ in this present dispensation of grace. Right division is not an optional study method; it is God's command for how His Word is to be understood. Failure to make the distinction between Israel's prophetic program and the mystery revealed to Paul for the Body of Christ leads only to confusion, and confusion in the gospel is eternally dangerous.
Paul makes a bold statement in Galatians 1:11-12, declaring that the gospel he preached was "not after man," but received by direct revelation of Jesus Christ. This message, summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. This alone is the gospel of salvation today. Yet if we blend this with Israel's gospel of the kingdom, which involved repentance, water baptism, and looking for the Messiah's earthly reign, we pervert the truth and trust in a message God is not offering in this age.
Paul warned soberly that any who preach another gospel are accursed ( Galatians 1:8-9). That is why right division is vital-it protects us from confusing law with grace, earthly promises with heavenly, and faith plus works with faith alone in Christ's finished work. God has only one gospel today, the gospel of the grace of God ( Acts 20:24). To miss this truth, or to mix it with another program, is to miss salvation itself.
I urge all to believe the message Christ gave to Paul for us. Trust completely in His finished work on the cross, apart from anything you can add. Salvation is by grace through faith, not of works ( Ephesians 2:8-9). Without rightly dividing, the gospel becomes distorted, and distorted truth cannot save.
In Christ's grace...
I do not think it is necessary for one to apply dispensational ideas to Scripture to be able to properly and accurately understand the Gospel taught by Jesus to the apostles, including Paul. He is the source of truth for all of us, Jew or Gentile. The church from the first century on has understood , taught, defended, and expounded on the one true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In stating that one needs to apply dispensational tenets in order to rightly know the Gospel is to say that no one before Darby, Scofield, et al knew the Gospel truly. That is a false idea and blatantly so. Even I as a very young child knew and understood the Gospel and believed in my Lord without any help from dispensationalism as have millions and millions of other believers over the ages. Darby taught that his little group of Plymouth Brethren believers were the sole true church and those in any other church were in false churches. This belief of Darby is quite concerning as it led to the Brethren movement he led becoming Exclusive, not recognizing any other believers as being true believers or teaching the truth of Scriptures. Such beliefs and behaviors by a leader are signs of a cult and any Christian should be wary of becoming involved in any sect that operates this way.
"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
Blessings
In my last reply, which you made a reply to all, I mentioned one verse that Paul taught about the kingdom of God. We also see in Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:21, and Ephesians 5:5. I could list more.
As I mentioned earlier, I am not familiar with dispensationalism, a concept that didn't emerge until the 19th century. I also believe that the idea of the rapture of the Church isn't supported by Scripture. If you don't mind, what is the dispensationalist understanding of the kingdom of God? Is there no need for repentance and baptism? Will the Church be in heaven during the 1000 years?
I am only trying to understand.
God bless,
RLW
Well said. I was struck by your statement, 'I prefer to read the Bible and let others have their own interpretations.' God wrote for our understanding and all that comes between, it is devil himself. He comes in form of false teachers and false brethren. Unless grace is given from above no man shall benefit from the book of life. Faith must be strong enough to the courage of our own understanding that is not seeking praise of man nor of promotion by agreeing to those who are in positions to reward. Balaam's reward was that he heard an ass bray, no thank you.
My lord God spared not his Son for my salvation. To be called' well done, you faithful servant'in more precous than all the jackasses braying heresies over what they really do not understand.
Joy and peace in Him,
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