Category: Paul’s apostleship

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #39

Saturday, June 27, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

The Corinthians were childish Christians, their spiritual growth and development stunted because (like so many now) they did not follow the Pauline design for the edification of the believer in Romans 16:25,26. Wherefore, the Holy Spirit cautioned them in 1 Corinthians 10:1-14. To repeat Israel’s sins of lusting after evil things (verse 6), being idolatrous (verse 7), committing fornication (verse 8), tempting/challenging Christ (verse 9), and murmuring/complaining (verse 10), would surely result in becoming a “castaway,” a Christian whose service God rejects (1 Corinthians 9:27). The Corinthians were to be mindful of the evil world system around them, and walk by faith in the principles of grace as found in Romans to Philemon (Paul’s ministry, Christ’s heavenly ministry).

Whereas the Corinthians were the “lascivious” (loose, wild, crazy) group, the Galatians were the “ascetic” (strict, pious, self-righteous) crowd: both are the two extremes of human (sin) nature. Galatians 3:1-3 explains the predicament of the immature Christians of Galatia: “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Paul had preached to the Galatians with great clarity all about Christ’s finished crosswork (grace). Nevertheless, after listening to false teachers (Mosaic-Law-based doctrine), these saints of Galatia imagined their “flesh” (human performance) could somehow enhance or supplement the Holy Spirit’s work. This is works-religion, as in, “I can live the Christian life by keeping commandments, I am able to ‘help’ the Holy Spirit, I can work to earn/merit God’s favor.” Like their Corinthian brethren, the Galatians were incorporating junk material into their inner man. It was not Christ’s life, but Adam’s life. Even though it was Scripture (the Law of Moses), it was not Scripture “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Instead of being a “castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27), we need to be approved unto God….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #34

Monday, June 22, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Recall how “oikodome” is translated various ways—“building,” “edify/edifying,” “edification.” A structure is raised, an edifice is under construction, or a house (“oikos”) is built up (“demo,” “to build”). Now, pay attention to Paul’s words here: “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do” (1 Timothy 1:3,4). This “godly edifying” is “the building up of God,” edification in keeping with His plan.

We never worship Paul, for Paul is neither our God nor our Saviour, but Paul is our God’s minister (“servant”) and he is our Saviour’s apostle (“sent one”). Paul was entrusted with the blueprints of God’s current relations with man: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace [ministry/office/apostleship] of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder [‘architekton’], 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” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11). Interestingly, even Peter recognized the special “wisdom” given to Paul, which Pauline Scriptures people were “wresting” (twisting, corrupting, distorting the meaning of) (2 Peter 3:15,16).

Bringing this all together, we have the following. Firstly, the God of the Bible has a scheme to build a house using doctrine (teaching worthy of our trust). Secondly, this doctrine describes His very life (hence, the doctrine forms a house, GOD’S house). Thirdly, if He is to fill us with His life, He must dispense or distribute that doctrine to us so we can believe it. Fourthly, He has delivered that doctrine to us via Paul’s apostleship. Fifthly, unless we place our faith in that Pauline information, no edifice of sound doctrine can be built in our inner man. The emphasis then is not only Christ’s earthly ministry (Matthew to John), but, rather, Christ’s heavenly ministry (Romans to Philemon)….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #31

Thursday, June 18, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

The elementary grace-living Book of Romans, Paul’s first epistle or formal doctrinal letter in the layout of Scripture (Romans to Philemon), opens with, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12). In order to be spiritually “established,” our feet firmly fixed on a sure foundation, being “comforted together” (strengthened) with our Apostle by having “mutual faith” (share his Bible understanding), we should study all 16 chapters of Romans.

Romans chapters 1–5 are justification, the Gospel of the Grace of God (Paul’s Gospel), how to have a right standing before God (forgiveness of sins); chapters 6–8 are sanctification, practical Christian living, how to have victory over sin every day; chapters 9–11 are dispensation, the nation Israel’s past and present and future statuses (we are not Israel, and God is not finished with Israel); chapters 12–16 are application, using grace principles in specific life situations and circumstances.

A doxology (praise of God) forms the conclusion of Romans, how saints are to be “stablished,” stabilized or kept from wavering: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (Romans 16:25,26). The first step in spiritual stability is trusting Paul’s Gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the second stage is acknowledging Jesus Christ as Paul uniquely preached or presented Him, and the third step is understanding all of the Bible (“the scriptures of the prophets”) in light of Pauline revelation.

Denominationalism does none of these, so it fosters spiritual immaturity and thereby reinforces darkness, blindness, and ignorance….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #25

Friday, June 12, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Dear young reader, do you remember the Greek word for “dispensation?” It is “oikonomia,” as in “house laws.” A related term is “oikonomos,” or “house-distributor” or “steward,” the employer who dispenses provisions throughout his master’s estate as that boss directs—allotting funds to this location, assigning food to that area, allocating supplies here or there, and so on. Luke 16:1-4 illustrates this, with the “stewardship” there also being “oikonomia.” In Luke 12:42, we read: “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” As in the previous references, “steward” is the title of one who “give[s] them their portion of meat in due season [appropriate time].”

According to 1 Corinthians 4:1,2, Paul is a “steward” (“oikonomos”), as the beginning of his ministry is the “due season [proper point]” to reveal “the dispensation [“oikonomia”] of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). To wit, Paul is the “house-distributor” as the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ directed him (showing him what information he would then teach the world through preaching and penning 13 Bible Books, Romans to Philemon). Paul is our “apostle” (Romans 11:13), as in our “sent one” (Acts 26:17) or messenger from Christ. As Paul speaks and writes, so the Lord Jesus Christ Himself speaks and writes: “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. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38).

Denominationalists wholly object to dispensational Bible study because it prevents them from grabbing verses out of context, and it thereby exposes as faulty and false their theological systems built on countless verses lifted from their contexts. Therefore, unfortunately, willful/deliberate ignorance abounds: “Not only do I not know, I do not care to know!” Unless we start using God’s Word God’s way (not man’s way), we have neither hope nor prayer in the world of ever understanding or enjoying it….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #24

Thursday, June 11, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Observe! It was the LORD God’s intention to bless the world/nations/Gentiles through the nation Israel’s rise to kingdom glory (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 3:24-26). That was the heart of “prophecy” (cf. Matthew 25:34; Luke 1:68-75; Acts 3:20-23). However, Israel rejected Messiah-King Jesus and crucified Him in unbelief (John 19:14,15), refusing to trust Him even after His death, burial, and resurrection… which brings us into early Acts, the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the 12 Apostles. With national Israel spurning Jesus Christ for three years (Matthew to John) and snubbing the Holy Spirit for one year (early Acts), she falls in Acts chapter 7 by stoning Stephen who is filled with the Holy Ghost (see Matthew 12:31,32; Mark 3:28-30; Luke 13:6-9).

Paul’s apostleship, which commences in Acts chapter 9, is introduced because of Israel’s fall. Romans chapter 11: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them…. [25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [secret, once-hidden wisdom now revealed through Pauline doctrine!], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits [do not think you are Israel or that you have replaced Israel!]; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

It is through the nation Israel’s fall that salvation currently comes to the Gentiles/nations/world, for the God of the Bible utilizes Paul’s ministry to reach out to all people without distinction during the operation of “mystery” (Romans 16:25,26)….

Zealously Affected #11

Sunday, March 1, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Acts chapter 15 concludes with a rather dreadful exchange: “[35] Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. [36] And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. [37] And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. [38] But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. [39] And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; [40] And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. [41] And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.”

Doubtless, the Bible tells the truth, even about its heroes. Paul and Barnabas entered into a severe argument about whether to take John Mark along with them on a second apostolic journey. Barnabas was in favor, but Paul was not. From Paul’s perspective, John Mark was a liability to the ministry for abandoning them a few years earlier on their first apostolic journey (Acts 13:13); the reason for his withdrawal is unclear, but seems to be trivial. Barnabas, however, apparently had an emotional attachment clouding his judgment about the matter. John Mark (also known as Marcus) was “sister’s son” (nephew) to Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), thus explaining why Barnabas would be inclined to defend John Mark and overlook his past negligence. It was here, one of the saddest and “hottest” passages of the whole Bible, that Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways. Barnabas commenced a voyage with John Mark, whereas Paul took a trip with Silas.

Emotions can create illusions and delusions, so it is again advisable not to let them run our lives….

Zealously Affected #10

Saturday, February 28, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

Remember, the Greek term for “zealously affect” twice featured in today’s Scripture is “zeloo,” from “zelos” (“heat”), the derivation of our English “zeal.” “Zeloo” was elsewhere rendered “moved with envy” (Acts 7:9; Acts 17:5), “covet earnestly” (1 Corinthians 12:31), “envieth” (1 Corinthians 13:4), “desire” (1 Corinthians 14:1), “covet” (1 Corinthians 14:39), “jealous over” (2 Corinthians 11:2), “desire to have” (James 4:2), and “zealous” (Revelation 3:19). It is a burning enthusiasm/passion. “Zeo” (“to be hot”) was translated “fervent” in Acts 18:25, descriptive of Apollos’ zeal in ministry. Also, it appears as a general exhortation for all Christians to be “fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:11). Simply put, it is an intense or powerful action that, depending on the context, can be positive or negative.

Minister Apollos was surely as “hot” as boiling water, his fiery sermons rousing audiences who were in great wonderment… but he was preaching an outdated message that Aquila and Priscilla identified and corrected (Acts 18:24-27). See, dear friend, enthusiasm alone, excitement alone, elation alone, ecstasy alone is no guarantee the truth is being proclaimed. How many tens of thousands in ministry right now are so energetic, busy with this and with that, but such liveliness will one day be revealed to be, not God’s power, but merely overactive human emotions?

Christian victory, the Holy Spirit’s might, is in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” The Word of God—the King James Bible for us English-speaking people—effectually works in us when we believe it, accomplishing God’s desired effect. Here is something that far exceeds any and all adrenaline rushes, never disappoints, and cannot be faked or counterfeited….

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #12

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

In his farewell sermon, Moses counseled Israel to obey the LORD to receive the blessing, “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land [on Earth!] which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 11:21). Notice the comparison to an heavenly Earth.

Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” From verse 2 onward, the Bible’s focus is “the earth.” The LORD God labors to make Himself a home with mankind on Earth (check Psalm 132:5,10-14), which encompasses the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-17 (cf. Luke 1:31-33). Recall again how God’s earthly kingdom loops all the way back to Adam and reaches all the way into the future to Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 25:34; Acts 3:20,21). Jesus’ return and subsequent kingdom is Earth-oriented: “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth…. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:35,44).

However, beginning in Acts chapter 9 with Paul’s salvation and commissioning, God shifts from restoring Earth to Himself, to restoring Heaven to Himself, for both realms must be brought back to the Creator God to achieve His eternal purpose….

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #24

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

It truly is a pity—a real shame—that billions of church members, pastors, and teachers actually have no clue concerning God’s will for them. This is not God’s fault! Rather, they have decided to squander their time with nonsense and ignorance instead of opening the Holy Bible to “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). It is not God’s problem when they overlook the answers He has already written in response to anticipated questions.

Here is God’s will! First Timothy 2:4-7: “[God our Saviour] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” God wants lost people to be “saved” (place their faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for their sins). His will for Christians is they “come unto the knowledge of the truth” (learn why He delivered them from those sins and kept them out of Hell and the Lake of Fire): He purposes to fill them with His Son’s life (not rehabilitate the Adamic life). “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith…” (Ephesians 3:17).

Our inheritance from Father God encompasses not only this temporary earthly life, but reaches into the endless ages to come and all the way into the heavenly places (our eternal destiny, our ultimate inheritance [Ephesians 1:9-11; Ephesians 2:6,7]). As we learn via dispensational Bible study, how marvelous it is that He is forming the Church the Body of Christ with believing Jews and believing Gentiles of Paul’s ministry (Ephesians 2:11-22), a group of former bitter enemies who were hopeless and helpless and Hell-bound, an entity He kept secret until Paul’s salvation and commissioning (Ephesians 3:1-11). We are not sinners, but saints, so let us think and walk according to that.

We (finally!) summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Heir by Position, Pauper by Practice #16

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7 KJV).

Saints, we in Christ are spiritual winners and heirs by position, but we can choose to be spiritual losers and paupers by practice!

Responding to dispensational truths they have never heard before (or were aware of but decided to ignore!), denominationalists typically proclaim, “You ‘Paul-worshippers’ study only Romans to Philemon!” No, we do not regard Paul as God or our Saviour; we do recognize Paul’s words in the Bible are the very words of Almighty God Himself (recall 1 Corinthians 14:37,38). Furthermore, we study all of Scripture, Genesis to Revelation, but we know what is to and about us, and what is merely for our learning.

Jesus Christ stated, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (Matthew 10:40). Also, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Luke 10:16). Finally, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me” (John 13:20). Christ sent Paul to be His spokesman to us Gentiles (Acts 26:17). To think lowly of Paul is to have a low opinion of Christ who commissioned him! We do not exalt Paul the man; we honor his God-given apostleship. “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:…” (Romans 11:13).

Paul wrote as the Holy Spirit moved him: “For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me” (1 Corinthians 4:15,16). “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:16,17). We follow Paul as he follows Christ—and this is the Christ of mystery, not the Christ of prophecy (Romans 16:25,26; cf. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11).

Such is critical to our spiritual stability….