Category: Pauline Dispensationalism / Dispensational Bible Study

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #24

Friday, October 3, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

“And [Father God] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6,7). The heavenly places are our eternal destiny as members of the Church the Body of Christ. We will share in Christ’s authority in Heaven’s governments as redeemed Israel will in Earth’s governments.

Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [heavenly] places.” Satan has already corrupted the heavenly places with activity contrary to God’s life. God will not let us members of the Body of Christ defile them with our foolishness either. Therefore, the Judgment Seat of Christ is designed to cleanse all believers’ souls of doctrinal pollution. Indeed, it is entirely possible to be a Christian and still believe and teach bad information. I myself did it for a decade!

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me [Paul], as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). This fire of the Judgment Seat of Christ saves us from doctrinal contamination by burning away the “spiritual combustibles” (false teaching) we have stored in our soul….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #20

Monday, September 29, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

In Acts chapters 7–9, religious leader Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who hated Jesus’ name and tirelessly hunted believing Jews. Yet, Saul gave up depending on his “goodness” and trusted Christ’s righteousness (Philippians 3:3-9). As Paul the Apostle decades later, he writes of himself: “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 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” (1 Timothy 1:13-16).

The salvation or justification of Saul/Paul is a “pattern” of how God has dealt with Christ-rejecting sinners for 2,000 years now. Firstly, He has been “merciful” or compassionate, holding back the wrath we sinners deserve. Secondly, He has been “gracious” or generous, giving us the favor we sinners do not deserve. Thirdly, He has been “peaceful” or friendly, pausing the war we sinners deserve. For a moment, He has interrupted the prophetic program, “[that] which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21), that He may operate the mystery program, “[that] which was kept since the world began, but now is manifest [through the Pauline epistles, Romans to Philemon]” (Romans 16:25,26).

God has caused the nation Israel to temporarily fall, concluded all Jews and all Gentiles in unbelief, that He might have mercy on all nations without distinction (see Romans 11:11-14,30-32). What we need to do is the only thing we can do without doing anything: we need to believe on Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins. Since the Lord Jesus was our substitute on Calvary so long ago, we now enjoy God’s blessings….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #12

Sunday, September 21, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

Turn your attention to Romans 9:30–10:4: “[9:30] What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. [9:31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [9:32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone [Jesus Christ]; [9:33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

“[10:1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [10:2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [10:3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [10:4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

The above excerpt describes unbelieving (Christ-rejecting) Israel during Matthew to John and early Acts—which lack of faith led to Calvary’s cross. Here would have been Saul of Tarsus, seeking to establish his own righteousness (recall Philippians 3:3-9). That lost Saul is now the Apostle Paul writing this very Romans passage during latter Acts, with Gentiles turning to Christ under his ministry while national Israel still languishes in unbelief. Paul at that time was visiting (Jewish) synagogues throughout the Roman Empire and preaching the Lord Jesus to them.

“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38,39). Paul’s sermon here maintained how Israel needed to have faith in Jesus Christ, true righteousness (right standing before God) being not by religious works (Judaism) but by trusting the Gospel of the Grace of God….

I Just Wanted to Get Away! #11

Saturday, September 20, 2025

“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 KJV).

Will sinners “get away” from accountability before God?

Observe 2 Corinthians 4:3,4: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Generally, non-Christians do not believe they are “lost” (gone aside from God’s path, doomed to eternal death or everlasting judgment). They suppose that, as long as they participate in some religious system, they will somehow “slip into Heaven.” Similarly, Saul of Tarsus “had confidence in the flesh [human performance].” After all, he belonged to God’s religion (Judaism). He was a Pharisee too—a strict man obsessed with rites, rituals, ceremonies, and commandments. Saul eventually became a believer in Jesus Christ… and was commissioned as His Apostle Paul!

Read his testimony in Philippians 3:3-9: “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:….”

Religious people today need to follow Paul’s example and quit trying to “get away” from God’s standard of rightness….

The Social Club with the Steeple #6

Monday, September 8, 2025

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15 KJV).

Is our local church building the meeting-place of people filled with God’s life, or just “a social club with a steeple?”

Read 2 Timothy 4:3,4, an excerpt from one of Paul’s “pastoral epistles” (church handbooks of 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon): “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

In order to have turned away from the truth, they had to first have/know the truth. Now, they want nothing to do with it. They prefer hearing fables or “feel-good” religious stories (speculations and opinions of men), not sound Bible doctrine. If this does not describe many of our “Christian” churches and “Christian” schools today, nothing does! In the midst of that apostasy, the Holy Spirit through Paul directed Timothy in verses 1 and 2: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

There will be no great revival before Christ returns. Anyone who says otherwise contradicts the Bible and entertains wishful thinking. This should not discourage us though. Regardless of what dreadful events take place (even in the so-called “Grace Movement”), we should keep teaching and preaching sound Bible doctrine, dispensational truth—even as those who support it become fewer and fewer. Indeed, we will not turn the apostasy around, but we can slow it down ever so slightly. A few souls here and there can be saved from that inevitable, universal slide into doctrinal error. Let us go about our Father’s work sharing His rightly divided Word (King James Bible in English!) with those who want to hear, as we wait for our Lord’s return to get us! 🙂

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

333’s 5200th – We Still Have Time!

Monday, August 25, 2025

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11 KJV).

Many, many years ago, as a university graduate student, I spoke with a works-religion man also attending classes there. Although he was an unbeliever, I strongly encouraged him to access our online devotionals blog, where he could find 500 daily Bible studies to read and consider. He was surprised as to how someone could have time to write so many devotionals. Well, by God’s grace, we have multiplied that over 10 times now!

There is still much, much, much to read, learn, and teach. While one particular ungrateful “believer” whined how she “could not keep up with us” (and she referred to basic topics!), mastering sound Bible doctrine is the only way to survive the deception of Satan’s evil world system. Instead of griping how “difficult” and “slow” spiritual growth is, it is important that we find the right teachers and right preachers and steadily mature with them. Even if it is so gradual it is barely perceptible, a believing heart resting in sound doctrine will assuredly develop spiritually.

Brethren, the Dispensation of the Grace of God is still in effect. For now, God’s attitude toward the world is “grace and peace.” Therefore, we need to get on with studying the Dispensation of Grace as described in Paul’s 13 epistles, Romans to Philemon. Contrary to the false accusations of the denominational preachers and “natural-man” teachers, we do not discard a single Bible verse. We study the Scriptures of Genesis through Revelation, for each and every verse is inspired of God. Howbeit, we “rightly divide” (2 Timothy 2:15), knowing what is for our learning (outside of Pauline revelation) versus what is to and about us (Pauline revelation). If our spiritual leaders have not taught us this, they have failed us miserably. They need to do less talking and more studying themselves, lest they continue to be “blind leaders of the blind.”

We hope our daily studies here have helped and blessed you in some measure these last 14.25 years. No, we do not know everything, for we are not God, but we know a little more than we did yesterday, last year, a decade ago. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ, and onward to #5300!

Note: All our previous devotionals, going back to “day 1,” are archived chronologically here.

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #9

Sunday, August 17, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Before Peter went to the Gentiles in Acts chapter 10, God had already broken down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile with Paul’s salvation and commissioning in chapter 9 (check Acts 9:15,16; Acts 22:13-15; Acts 26:17,18). Israel had already fallen in chapter 7 and was now diminishing for the rest of Acts (Romans 11:11-14). With the Lord sending Peter to witness a drastic change in program at Cornelius’ house, Peter can now come to Paul’s defense 10 years later at the Jerusalem Conference.

Acts chapter 15: “[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. [8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; [9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. [10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? [11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Peter recognized Cornelius and those other Gentiles were saved without keeping the Law of Moses and without submitting to physical circumcision. This knowledge allowed Peter to defend Paul’s Gentile believers as not required to be physically circumcised or keep the Law of Moses to be saved (check Acts 15:1-5). The unusual words heard and unexpected events associated with Peter’s visit with Cornelius and other Gentiles at Caesarea, demonstrate how there has been a change in prophecy—and this makes it easier for the Little Flock to see how mystery now works with Paul’s ministry. Using dispensational eyes, we appreciate how this was God’s design in arranging the meeting between Peter and Cornelius all along.

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #8

Saturday, August 16, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Read Acts 11:1-3: “And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” Once Peter left Cornelius’ house in Caesarea and returned to Jerusalem, the other Jewish Apostles and the rest of the Little Flock castigated or fussed him. They knew their commission about Israel first (Acts 1:8) and they understood how they were not to reach Gentiles until Christ came back to reign (Matthew 28:18-20). How dare Peter minister to those uncircumcised non-Jews!!

In Acts 11:4-17, Peter narrates the account in great detail—starting all the way back with the “unclean animals” vision he received in Joppa, to the words of God he heard about not calling anything “unclean,” to the visitation of the three men Cornelius had sent from Caesarea to him, to what he learned from Cornelius face-to-face about what Cornelius saw and heard from the angel, to what confirmation Peter and the other believing Jews witnessed in Caesarea (the Gentiles being baptized with the Holy Ghost).

On the defensive, all Peter can say in conclusion is (verse 17): “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand [prevent, hinder] God?” Now, verse 18: “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Like Peter, the Little Flock cannot make sense of what happened—but they cannot deny it either. They rejoice. Indeed, though national Israel is unbelieving, Gentiles have believed under Peter’s ministry.

Several years will pass before it is clear to all of them….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #7

Friday, August 15, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Cornelius was an uncircumcised Gentile who did not observe the Law of Moses, but he walked in the spiritual light he had by blessing Israel (verses 2,4,22,31). Based on what Peter heard about him from the trio and from Cornelius himself, Peter responded: “…Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (verses 34,35). (Cornelius parallels the Gentiles who will bless Israel during Daniel’s 70th Week; Matthew 25:31-40.) Yet, good works are insufficient, so Peter preaches to those Gentiles with Cornelius all about the Lord Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry to Israel (verses 36-43), closing with, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

As if Peter has not been perplexed enough, something else unexpected takes place! Verses 44-48: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed [six Jewish saints; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:12] were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

In Acts 11:15-17, Peter recounts how those Gentiles were baptized with the Holy Ghost and spoke in intelligent human languages never formally learned—reminding him of what happened with believing Israel on Pentecost (chapter 2). Once more, the Gentiles have faith, but Israel is in unbelief. Peter sees more confirmation God is working with Cornelius and these other Gentiles in Caesarea, though he does not fully comprehend the scope of these events until several years later….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #6

Thursday, August 14, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Acts 10:28 is Peter’s first words to all the Gentiles assembled with Cornelius: “…Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” In what sense is it “unlawful” (forbidden, illicit, prohibited; Greek translated “abominable” in 1 Peter 4:3) for Peter to be with these non-Jews?

Gentile salvation was not a secret in prophecy. God would save and bless Gentiles through Israel as per the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3). Redeemed national Israel would subsequently rise to kingdom glory, a kingdom of priests preaching God’s words to Gentiles (Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:18-20). Peter knew the order in prophecy was Israel converted first, as in his original apostolic commission: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:5-7).

In early Acts, post-resurrection, Christ expands that commission: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). By the time of chapter 10 though, Jerusalem has not been fully converted, neither is Judaea (southern Israel) nor Samaria (northern Israel). Thus, Peter recognizes it is too early for him to go to Gentiles (“uttermost part of the earth”)… yet, strangely, there he was ministering to them (Cornelius and company) in Caesarea!

Peter is coming to greater awareness about a striking dispensational change that has already transpired….