Category: Pauline Dispensationalism / Dispensational Bible Study

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #5

Wednesday, August 13, 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?

Did you notice how Peter hungered for physical food in today’s Scripture? There is some interesting symbolism a great many fail to see here. Considering how Israel refused to hear and believe God’s preachers in Matthew to John as well as Acts chapters 1–7, Peter is also hungry for spiritual fruit—that is, a positive Jewish response to God’s words. Recall the parallel in Matthew 21:17-19 and Mark 11:12-14, the fruitless fig tree representing Israel’s unproductive religious system!

It was just prior to Peter’s vision that a Roman centurion (commander of 100 soldiers), Cornelius, wanted more spiritual light. The Holy Spirit rebukes unbelieving Israel by placing into the record of Scripture a heathen idolater who wishes to hear from Peter! Once the three-man delegation from Cornelius reaches the house where Peter is staying, they recount for the Apostle their reason for coming, confirming to Peter what God had told him (verses 21,22). They spend the night in Joppa, and Peter goes back with them to Caesarea the following morning, taking six Jewish saints with him to serve as witnesses (verse 23; cf. Acts 11:12).

When he reaches Caesarea, Peter is absolutely stunned to see a large crowd of interested Gentiles (Cornelius’ relatives and neighbors). “…And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends…. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together” (Acts 10:24,27). “Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (verse 33). Here, we have a multitude of idolatrous Gentiles ready to hear and believe God’s words through Peter, with national Israel still in unbelief!!!!!!

There it is. It is remarkable, scathing, and factual….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #4

Tuesday, August 12, 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?

Chapter 10 of Acts continues: “[11] And [Peter] saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: [12] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. [14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. [15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. [16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”

Observance of Mosaic-Law kosher food laws separated the nation Israel from the nations or Gentiles (Leviticus 11:1-47; Deuteronomy 14:1-20). Peter, a Law-keeping Jew, recognized how he was to eat only “clean” foods. Therefore, he is now baffled, especially curious as to why the Lord Himself suddenly overturns those dietary restrictions. Read Acts 10:17-20: “Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.”

As the Apostle considers the strange things he has seen and heard, Cornelius’ dispatched trio of “unclean” men (Gentiles who eat “unclean foods” like those in Peter’s vision!) arrive at Simon’s house where Peter is staying. It will become clear to the Apostle how the “thrice” of verse 16 corresponds to these three men….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #3

Monday, August 11, 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?

It is a real shame that almost everyone in Christendom misunderstands Acts chapter 10—whether the charismatics who gravitate toward the “pouring out of the Holy Ghost” and speaking in tongues, or the shallow dispensationalists who fail to see the full worth of the passage because they are not pure Pauline dispensationalists.

Cornelius was not a proselyte (Gentile convert) to Judaism (“uncircumcised” according to Acts 11:1-3). He even engaged in pagan idolatry such as human worship (Acts 10:25,26). Nevertheless, he still possessed more spiritual light than most other Romans and non-Jews of his time. For example, he was familiar with, and obeyed, the Abrahamic Covenant about materially blessing Israel to be blessed of God (Genesis 12:3; Acts 10:2,4,22,31,35). He wanted additional spiritual understanding, and, apparently, prayed for it (Acts 10:2,4,6,31). Israel’s God responded by first sending an angel to Cornelius with a message and then using a vision to direct Peter to Cornelius’ house.

Here is some useful geographical information. Caesarea (Cornelius’ home—Acts 10:1) is on the Promised Land’s Mediterranean Coast, some 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Joppa (where Peter is staying with Simon the tanner—Acts 9:43; Acts 10:5,6). God works with Cornelius and Peter separately to bring them together. Firstly, to repeat, an angel tells Cornelius he will hear words of salvation from Peter (Acts 10:22,32; cf. Acts 11:14). Secondly, obeying the angel’s instructions, Cornelius sends three men to lead Peter from Simon’s house and back to Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:7,8). As those three men make their way from Caesarea to Joppa, Peter in Joppa receives a message from God in today’s Scripture.

As Peter resides with Simon the tanner (animal-hide preparer), Peter goes up on the housetop to pray around noon—lunchtime—and he feels quite hungry! Here, he has a vision of unclean animals, which prepares him for those three special visitors….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #2

Sunday, August 10, 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?

Once unbelieving national Israel’s temporary fall before God occurred in Acts chapter 7, the apostate nation not being forgiven of its blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28-30), there is a radical departure from the order of Acts 1:8: “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.”

The Little Flock, Israel’s believing remnant, understood the sequence. With Christ gone back to Heaven, they had to convert Jerusalem first, before branching out to the Gentiles: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Nevertheless, Jerusalem was content to be in unbelief, rejecting Jesus Christ as He was preached during the opening chapters of Acts. It was here in Jerusalem, Acts chapter 7, that the Holy Spirit in Stephen condemned Israel’s religious leaders (Sanhedrin) for their unbelief. By the time of chapter 8, Stephen is dead by stoning and Philip goes to preach in Samaria to the north (with the Samaritans trusting the very Jesus Christ that Jerusalem had not!).

It is in chapter 9 that the Lord saves, raises up, and commissions the Apostle Paul to go to Gentiles. Jerusalem and Judaea (Jerusalem’s neighborhood) are not entirely converted, but Samaria is somewhat converted, and now salvation and blessing are going to the world or Gentiles through Paul with an entirely different commission. This is not the order of prophecy. Indeed, there has been a drastic change in program, and these various clues in Acts demonstrate it. Then, there is the bizarre case of Roman centurion Cornelius and the Apostle Peter’s ministry to him in the context of today’s Scripture….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #1

Saturday, August 9, 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?

Let us read today’s Scripture within its context, Acts 10:9-20: “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, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

“Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.” What is the Lord teaching the Apostle Peter here with this vision? Is there anything we can learn from it? People seldom move beyond the same old basic, common, shallow, denominational interpretation, and this is a real shame which God never intended.

Let us with mature spiritual (dispensational) eyes see what we can glean….

A Grace Study Bible

Friday, August 1, 2025

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 KJV).

Today, we reflect on 13 full years of the arC Ministries’ Grace Study Bible Project!

Some 100 years ago, the Scofield Study Bible was published. It was a work that popularized—not invented—dispensational Bible study. For a century, the Church the Body of Christ has used this monumental aid to edify itself. It was (and still is) useful in recovering precious Bible truths that had been lost for centuries, doctrines still pushed aside by denominational hierarchies that prefer to be the “authority” with their “tradition of men.”

Thirteen years ago today, after much prayer and consideration, I began the formation of a new grace study Bible. Using the King James Bible, my goal in this project is to build on Dr. Scofield’s foundation laid long ago. We are (and will always be) indebted to that brother for his faithful service, his submission to the Holy Spirit to produce a profitable study Bible. (Incidentally, Dr. Scofield led a missionary to Christ, that missionary led a preacher to Christ, that preacher led a woman to Christ, that woman led Mom to Christ, and Mom led me to Christ.) What took Dr. Scofield decades to learn, we can acquire in a fraction of that time. Brother Scofield did not live long enough to progress any further in Bible understanding, but in the century since he has gone to heaven, a faithful remnant within the Body of Christ has expanded upon Dr. Scofield’s insightful notes. We recognize where he was wrong in certain areas, and we can improve those areas in our understanding and study.

In brief, some stats about our grace study Bible. We seem to be over 80 percent completed with it. How many more years it will take remains to be seen, but rest assured, what cannot be condensed into marginal notes or footnotes, will be, Lord willing, expanded into a full-Bible commentary book series! Stay tuned in the coming years and thank you for your prayer in this regard! 🙂

* You can read more about our Grace Study Bible Project here.

arC Ministries Is 18!

Thursday, July 31, 2025

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV).

To our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory, arC Ministries celebrates its 18th anniversary today!!!

Eighteen years ago, as a 19-year-old college student, I endeavored to use Facebook to create a Bible study group for teens and college students. Thus, “ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries” was born. As I grew more in God’s Word rightly divided, I grew increasingly aware of the need for additional ministry projects. The more I had been learning drove me to share those precious truths with others. That eventually led me to look for supplementary avenues of ministry.

During these past 18 years, God’s grace has enabled us to continue the original group on Facebook. In addition, we have branched out quite a bit in other areas. This devotionals blog has been operating for over 14 years now. For the last 13 years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its fourteenth year). Other ministry projects include a 22-week newspaper ministry column (this devotionals blog’s predecessor), a YouTube channel with home Bible study videos, a Twitter feed, a full-length Bible studies blog, a college campus ministry, a nursing-home ministry, and our Bible-question-and-answer blog. Nine years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. Six years ago, we recorded and distributed our Old Testament Survey video series. Later that year, we launched our New Testament Survey video series (which will last a few years). We hear from people all over the world!

Our name says it all: we serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ, not some “dead Jew” and not ourselves. The original motto of our ministry was, “To equip ambassadors, and to encourage others to become ambassadors.” Our primary goal is to teach Christians, and our secondary goal is to evangelize the lost world. Eighteen years later, we still endeavor to uphold God’s Word (King James Bible) rightly divided, whether it be in edifying the Christian brethren or preaching the clear Gospel of the Grace of God to this lost and dying world. For those of you who have been with us from day 1, thank you for your prayer and encouragement. We pray for you upon every remembrance! There is still plenty more for the Lord Jesus Christ to do in and through us, so let us give Him all the praise and glory as we enter Year 19! 🙂

 

The Kingdom of God is Within You #14

Thursday, July 24, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here? (NO!)

Re-read today’s Scripture in context one final time: “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Christ was not implying an invisible, spiritual reign in the hearts of men. Instead, He explained how a literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom would not arrive so late in His earthly ministry. National Israel had already scorned Him for three years, so He was now heading to Calvary’s cross. One day, He would return in power and great glory to reign literally and physically and visibly in the Earth (Luke 17:24; Luke 19:11-15), “But first must he suffer many things [crucifixion], and be rejected of this generation” (Luke 17:25).

Contrary to what Amillennialists declare, today’s Scripture and its context is not an invisible, spiritual kingdom (“Jesus reigns in the hearts of men”). As touching the prophetic program, “the kingdom of God” is His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom. Otherwise, the LORD’s promise to King David is a lie, for the Davidic Covenant cannot be fulfilled (Isaiah 9:6,7; Jeremiah 23:5,6; Daniel 2:44,45; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 1:6; Acts 2:29,30). Contrary to what textual critics tell us, “The kingdom of God is within you” is not a mis-translation of our King James scholars. Its wording underscores Israel’s need to have faith in God’s words first. Lost Israel such as the Pharisees had to accept Christ by faith (“within you” meaning “within your souls”) before they could see and enter His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom (check John 3:1-8). Yet, the unbelieving Pharisees had reduced Christ’s role to mere political deliverance, seeing no need for their spiritual salvation (forgiveness of sins).

Finally, to believe our Dispensation of Grace fulfills Luke 17:20,21—“Jesus reigns invisibly in men’s hearts today”—is to destroy the dispensational distinctions in Scripture. It is also why modern “scholars” tend to “re-translate” the Authorized Version here. Lacking dispensational eyes, they tell spiritual lies. Avoid them!

The Kingdom of God is Within You #13

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here?

The Bible opens, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Sin corrupted both realms: Satan contaminated the Heaven using his fallen angels and polluted the Earth utilizing sinful man. Creation is in rebellion. The Holy Scriptures are the record of God restoring both Heaven and Earth to Himself, that He fill each sphere of influence with His life, thereby achieving His eternal purpose.

“For by him [Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:16-20).

Father God will use Christ’s shed blood to redeem two groups. One is His earthly people, the nation Israel, whom He will fill with His life and then install in the offices of Earth’s governments. (If Amillennialists are correct—if there is no literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom—God will never be able to recover Earth from Satan’s influence!) The other is His heavenly people, the Church the Body of Christ, whom He will fill with His life and then install in the offices of Heaven’s governments.

As touching the ages to come, see Matthew 25:34: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:….” God had that kingdom in mind going all the way back to when He placed Adam on the Earth, proving Christ’s kingdom in prophecy is literal, physical, visible, earthly.

We summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

The Kingdom of God is Within You #12

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here?

Due to a miserable (!) failure to rightly divide the Word of Truth, today’s Scripture and context (verses 20,21) have been twisted out of shape to teach something they do not teach and never did teach. They do not describe God’s current dealings with man at all, but typify what He did with Israel in time past. Peter’s ministry—an extension of Christ’s earthly ministry—concerns Israel rising to kingdom glory, God’s salvation and blessing going to the world (Gentiles) in Israel’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom (Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 2:32; Luke 24:47; John 4:42; Acts 1:6; Acts 3:24-26). However, Paul’s ministry is God’s salvation and blessing going to the world (Gentiles) through Israel’s temporary fall and without her kingdom (Romans 11:11-14). Though Christendom has neglected it for 20 centuries, we dare not miss this important distinction!

Just because God did something in time past does not mean He is doing it in the but now, and just because He is doing it in the but now does not mean He will keep doing it in the ages to come. Though He is not growing His earthly people (Israel) now, Romans 11:25-29 indicates He will return to that after He closes our program and completes us the Church the Body of Christ: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

We are not Israel, and we have not replaced Israel, so we are wise in our own conceits (we think we are someone we are not) if we believe we are Israel or that we have replaced Israel….