Category: Pauline Dispensationalism / Dispensational Bible Study

Silenced!

Sunday, March 18, 2018

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” (2 Timothy 1:7,8 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to preach sound Bible doctrine.

Brethren, Satan has a two-fold strategy for hindering God’s will. In “phase 1,” he attacks the message. Remember, his first words in Scripture are in Genesis 3:1: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Satan’s chief goal is to question (challenge) God’s Word, thus removing it as the authority. After repeatedly distorting the Bible, he outright denied it in verse 4. Satan effectually enticed Adam and Eve to corrupt, and thereby abandon, sound Bible doctrine.

If the saint maintains and defends sound Bible doctrine, not relinquishing it, then Satan begins “phase 2.” Satan’s objective here is to attack the messenger, to somehow silence him—through intimidation, hardship, embarrassment, discouragement, and so on. This is where we find Timothy in today’s Scripture. In 1 Timothy, he had dealt with false teaching in Ephesus. He has remained faithful to the grace message, having not compromised with the legalists. Satan has failed to get Timothy to pervert grace.

Now, in 2 Timothy (today’s Scripture), Timothy’s face is damp with “tears” (verse 4). He is crying, emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed by opposition and distress in the ministry. As Paul writes, pervasive doctrinal error exists now: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (verse 15). Most Christians have now abandoned Paul’s doctrine, preferring legalism and other heresies. Dejected Timothy has surrendered, having ceased (!) preaching Pauline doctrine (verse 6).

Paul, imprisoned far away in Rome for preaching God’s grace through Christ, is moved by the Holy Spirit to encourage Timothy to not be ashamed (today’s Scripture). “Timothy, remember who you are and where you came from. God’s power will get you through your situations. Share in those afflictions that accompany the Gospel! No matter what happens, boldly preach!” (Brethren, may we do likewise.)

Solace!

Saturday, March 17, 2018

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to enjoy the solace of the God of all comfort.

Today’s Scripture is the Apostle Paul at the lowest point in his whole ministry. Keep reading: “[8] For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: [9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: [10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;….” Did you sense Paul’s great depression in verse 8?

When the Apostle refers to his “trouble… in Asia,” that would have been something that occurred in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). On its western shore sat the city of Ephesus. Here, in Acts chapter 19, Paul had preached Jesus Christ and founded the church at Ephesus. You would do well to read the chapter sometime. Paul’s preaching the truth caused a revival in that spiritually dead, pagan city. With the idol-makers losing customers, they lashed out and caused a riot. Paul could have lost his life! Thankfully, God supported him physically (but most importantly, spiritually).

Saint, when you get “pressed out of measure” in ministry, “above strength, insomuch that [you] despair even of life,” you just keep on going! After all, “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;….” If the saints of old found solace in the God of all comfort, then we will too!

Our archived Bible Q&A: “Should Christians celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?”

Separate!

Thursday, March 15, 2018

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be separate from the religious system.

It is often lamented, “Doctrine divides. Let us rather gather around the love of Jesus Christ.” The Holy Spirit disagrees: sound Bible doctrine matters! Romans 16:17,18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

First Timothy 6:3-5: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

Second Timothy 3:1-5: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Beloved, if there is no sound Bible doctrine—King James Bible, Pauline dispensationalism—we have no reason to get involved with it!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How can God be ‘jealous’ and not be guilty of sin?”

Sincere!

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be sincere.

Hypocrisy is a charge frequently laid against believers in Christ: “I do not go to church because of all the hypocrites there!” Actually, to some extent, everyone is a hypocrite—even the critics of Christians! We are not 100 percent genuine every single second of every single day, are we? Christian and non-Christian alike, we can all be “actors” to some degree: all of us can appear to be individuals we really are not.

Non-Christians speak and behave as if they can access the one true God without His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. They cannot. Yet, they want to say that this religion and that religion are “just as good” as Christianity. They assume they can be “good” people apart from Jesus Christ. Scripture disagrees: “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Christians talk and conduct themselves as if they are still lost and going to Hell. They are not. Nevertheless, they claim, “I cannot help but sin; the Devil made me do it!” They suppose that they are still the slaves to sin. The Bible disagrees: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).

Unless Christians have grace edification, they do not know how to behave. Why? They have no idea what to believe. Why? They do not know how to understand and enjoy the Holy Bible. They, using religion, thus pretend to live the Christian life: when they fail, the critics gleefully wail, “Hypocrite!” However, friend, if God’s wisdom from His rightly divided Word fills your spirit and heart, you will be no hypocrite, and you will be “without offence [violation].” It will really be Christ Jesus living in you! You will be “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ!”

Sanctimonious!

Monday, March 12, 2018

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be free from sanctimoniousness.

Christians engage in wishful thinking when talking about being “sinless.” Earnestly trying to control their sin, they place themselves (or allow a denomination to put them) under a sin-management system. For example, they have been programmed to exclaim, “Keep the 10 Commandments!” Why, how many do they obey? Fewer than those they hang around our necks? When the Law system fails—and we know it does fail because “the Law… [is] weak through our [sinful] flesh” (Romans 8:3), “weak and beggarly” (Galatians 4:9)—what do they do? They attempt to cover it up with more works, further disappointing and winding up more condemned. No, brethren, we do not need rules and regulations to live right: the Law commands us to please God always, but gives us no capacity whatsoever to do it. Rather than the laws of God, we need the grace of God!

Today’s Scripture outlines how grace living operates. When we came to faith in Christ Jesus as our personal Saviour, God saw us crucified and resurrected with Christ (Romans chapter 6). “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (verse 11). This is the “renewed mind” of Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:8-17, and today’s Scripture—“put off” (sin) and “put on” (righteousness). Positionally it is factual, but it must be applied daily by faith if it is to be practically true (daily living fits the identity). We still have a sin nature, but we do not have to sin.

God wisely arranged it this way (Grace not Law) so we could never have a “goody-goody” attitude, glorying in our “fair shew in the flesh” (Galatians 6:12,13). Brethren, we have nothing about which to brag. We are not making ourselves holy (religion); we are simply behaving like the people God already made us in Christ! This is not simulated holiness; this is “true holiness.” It is all God’s doing, not ours!

Spiritual!

Sunday, March 11, 2018

“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” (1 Corinthians 14:37 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be spiritual!

What does it mean to be “spiritual?” If you asked 100 people, you would get 100 different answers. We need not wonder as to the correct response. God’s Spirit, the Author of today’s Scripture, led the Apostle Paul to identify the standard for true spirituality in this the Dispensation of Grace. Rather than conditioned upon giving, praying, hand raising, performing miracles, singing, dancing, and speaking in tongues, spirituality is all about whether we listen to God’s spokesman to us Gentiles. “Spiritual” means that the Holy Spirit is leading you. The Holy Ghost wants you to know that His apostle of us Gentiles is Paul (Romans 11:13; cf. Acts 26:14-18). Do you believe that… or not (1 Corinthians 14:38)?

If someone is a “prophet”—speaking on God’s behalf—then he will acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking in and through the Apostle Paul. If someone is “spiritual”—controlled by God’s Spirit—then he will acknowledge that Paul is God’s spokesman to us in the Dispensation of Grace. Ephesians 3:1-5: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 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;….”

First Corinthians 3:1-3 speaks of three categories of Christians. Firstly, there are the numerous “babes,” those who can handle only Bible basics, spiritual milk instead of solid food (remember Hebrews 5:11-14?). Secondly, we have the countless “carnal” Christians, those constantly driven by the flesh’s sinful desires. Lastly, there are the “spiritual” believers, the few who are able to delve into deep Bible truths. Beloved, are we interested in doing God’s will? Do we want to be “spiritual?” Then, we had better believe today’s Scripture!

Studious!

Friday, March 9, 2018

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be studious concerning Holy Scripture.

Christian friend, if you attend services at the average “Christian” church, you will discover that “Bible study” is a set of “dirty words.” (You can almost hear gasps when you declare such words in their midst!) They do not care to study the Bible. They will read it and quote it, but they do not want to carefully examine and prayerfully consider it. Comparing verses is “too much work,” “too much thinking,” “too much boredom!” Why? They have been led to believe that spirituality is gauged by how many pews you jump, how quickly your feet move to the music, how loudly you sing, how large your “tithe” is, how often you visit the sick and help the poor, how many “holy books” you collect, how much you pray, how often you raise your hands in “praise and worship,” et cetera.

Usually, whatever “Christian” teaching the assembly upholds, it is basic and shallow. The average Sunday School child could stand in the pulpit and deliver the material. Not surprisingly, the everyday church member is totally destroyed in troubling times. The doctrine provides no spiritual safety, for the doctrine itself is hazardous. What Satan absolutely hates is a Bible-believing student—not a “Bible reader,” not a “Bible toter,” not a “Bible quoter,” and not a “Bible collector.” Someone estimated that the average American home has seven (!!!) Bibles. Considering today’s ignorant and depraved society, probably not even one is ever read (let alone studied and believed)!

We are living in perilous times, dear friends, dangerous times—especially regarding spiritual matters. We cannot—absolutely cannot!—afford to be lackadaisical about Bible study. There is an Adversary, a master spiritual enemy, out there. Satan will not quit until God ultimately stops him. Until then, beloved, our only hope at not being swept away in the error is to study and believe the Bible rightly divided! The Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon, are absolutely critical to our spiritual survival. Grab yourself a King James Bible and study and believe it rightly divided. This cannot be emphasized enough!

Our latest Bible Q&As: “Neither round the corners of your heads nor mar the corners of your beard?” and “Neither make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print any marks on you?”

Sagacious!

Saturday, March 3, 2018

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,…” (Ephesians 3:9,10 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to manifest the wisdom of God.

With the mystery revealed to Paul, and now given us through his epistles, Romans through Philemon, we know “the wisdom of God.” God wisely kept a secret, showing it to man only once He saved and commissioned Paul in Acts chapter 9. First Corinthians chapter 2 says: “[6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Part of the mystery program is the formation of the Church the Body of Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles reconciled in one body by Calvary’s cross. In those Christians—their mortal bodies (2 Corinthians 4:10,11; 1 Timothy 3:16)—God would show His wisdom to all people and angels (cf. today’s Scripture). Even today, as these believers live and function on a daily basis, they literally are God’s life on display. Sagacious means, “having or exhibiting wisdom and calm judgment.” With the Dispensation of Grace given to us through Paul’s ministry (Ephesians 3:1,2), we can show the world God’s wisdom, how He Himself lives (especially how to view and handle troubles and tragedies).

We have God’s life outlined in the grace principles Jesus Christ first committed to Paul. Obviously, though, there is no wisdom of God manifested if there is no wisdom of God internalized. Christians, if ignorant of the rightly divided Word of God, will exhibit ignorance before the world. Instead of glorifying God, they will be a reproach to the name of Christ. Never forget, Bible scoffers will then have all the more reason to mock.

Sufficient!

Friday, March 2, 2018

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to recognize God’s grace as sufficient.

Two men in human history suffered far beyond the norm. Obviously, the first is the God-Man, our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered the most. Never will we fathom the torment He endured physically and spiritually as He faced the wrath of a righteous God and sinful men. The second is the Apostle Paul, laboring so diligently to preach to wretched sinners in all nations that Christ was crucified for them.

As Paul conducted his ministry, Satan caused him such hardship and grief. Unbelieving Jews constantly plotted to kill him; the Roman government eagerly helped those Jews suppress that “illegal religion;” many of Paul’s Christian friends betrayed and abandoned him; evil spirits mocked him; he was whipped, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, robbed; and so on. Friend, whenever you think you have it rough, cancel your “pity party” by reading Paul’s afflictions recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33!

In addition to the aforementioned trials and tribulations, some mysterious “thorn in the flesh” troubled Paul (today’s Scripture). While Satan attempted to hinder Paul, God utilized it to keep Paul from being worshipped. Paul begged the Lord in prayer three times to have that problem depart, but it did not. The Lord Jesus Christ replied to Paul’s prayer, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul took that revealed Word and concluded, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” God’s grace is enough for you too!

Second Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;….”

Sustained!

Thursday, March 1, 2018

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1-5 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be sustained by the love of God.

The world looks at suffering and wonders how anything good can result—they have neither Jesus Christ nor hope. Sadly, even most Christians are deceived here. When disaster comes, they assume God does not love them, that He is punishing them, that He is angry with them. Friends, God’s love needs to sustain us, keep us from falling apart in troublesome times. We can glory in tribulation and find value in suffering! Very, very, very, VERY, VERY, VERY few believers, unfortunately, ever reach that point, as denominationalism binds them in immaturity.

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God is not angry with us because He considers Christ’s sacrifice of Himself as sufficient payment for our sins. This knowledge helps us understand that our problems/tribulations/difficulties do not stem from any controversy God has with us. Of course, such understanding comes from the rightly divided Word of God. We do not grab the verses that talk about God being angry with and punishing Israel, and assume He is talking about us.

Whereas Israel’s troubles meant God was punishing her for disobedience (see Leviticus 26:14-46 and Deuteronomy 28:15-68), difficulties mean something else entirely for us. God’s love is found at Calvary, not in our circumstances. Romans 5:8 says: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ constraineth [propels, motivates] us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:….” Christian friend, until you are home in Heaven, let God’s infinite love carry you through ALL of life’s difficulties!

Bible Q&A #470: “What are some verses to help me stop focusing on myself?”