Category: Satan and Policy of Evil

Paul and Dispensationalism #12

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

“Brethren, be ye followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

Many earnest Christians say, “I do not follow man. I go by what Jesus said.” Bless their dear hearts—they follow the traditions of men by following Jesus’ words to Jews. Jesus Himself said He was not God’s spokesman to us Gentiles: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Are you a lost sheep of the house of Israel? Then, Jesus’ earthly ministry does not apply to you (2 Corinthians 5:16)!

Paul is our apostle (Romans 11:13) whereas Jesus Christ is Israel’s Apostle (Hebrews 3:1). It thoroughly astonishes Bible readers to learn that the Apostle Paul is the person we should follow, not Jesus in His earthly ministry. Jesus never said we Gentiles need to follow Him. However, we do find Jesus Christ speaking through Paul and instructing us to follow Paul as he follows Jesus Christ. “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

Friend, if you do not know where to go in the Bible to retrieve God’s Word to and about you, you have no hope in ever understanding the Bible. You will not know the baptism valid for you; you will not know how to handle sickness; you will not have a clear Gospel message to believe; you will not know how to pray; you will not know how God’s Spirit works in you today as a believer; you will not know how to function as a spouse, child, student, parent, boss, employee, pastor, teacher, neighbor, citizen; and so on.

You cannot find victorious Christian living in the Old Testament, the Four Gospels, the early part of Acts, or Hebrews through Revelation. If you want victorious Christian living, you must go to the Holy Spirit’s instructions found in Paul’s 13 epistles, Romans through Philemon. This is the key to Christianity’s doctrinal dilemma!

Paul and Dispensationalism #11

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

“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. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1:3-5 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

The goal of dispensational Bible study, particularly Pauline dispensationalism, is not simply to fill one’s head with Bible knowledge. There is no spirituality in drawing the Bible timeline. No spirituality is in merely talking about God’s grace and Paul’s special ministry. Spirituality is when you know where to go in the Bible to find your information and then using that information to benefit others (“charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned”). Grace doctrine is not meant to be kept secret, spoken only when you want to argue. Grace living is to be… lived!

Our goal in sharing dispensational truths should never be to pick fights, debate, et cetera. Religion has deceived many, many precious people. We should seek their highest good (“charity”). They need to learn God’s truth, and we who know God’s truth should share that truth in love and gentleness. We have the doctrine that can save them from their sins, renew their minds, mature them spiritually, et cetera. How marvelous! How exciting!

Unlike modern-day Ecumenists who minimize doctrine, bulldoze denominational barriers, and simply “fellowship with all ‘Christians’ around the love of ‘Jesus,’” today’s Scripture says Paul approved sound doctrine and exposed false doctrine. Paul commanded young Timothy to rebuke false teachers in Ephesus. They were not to teach any other doctrine than what the Lord Jesus Christ had taught them through the Apostle Paul. Actually, the Bible says their error was legalism (1 Timothy 1:6-11), forcing the Mosaic Law into Christian living. Paul had predicted this apostasy years earlier in Acts 20:28-35. Paul had encouraged them, verse 32, to embrace “the word of [God’s] grace.” This was the Bible rightly divided—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, the grace doctrines!

Paul and Dispensationalism #10

Monday, August 17, 2015

“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 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

Just what is the test for true spirituality? How many hymns we sang? How many large tithes we gave? How many “unknown tongues” we uttered? How many long prayers we recited? How many theology books we read? How many miracles we performed? How well we know Hebrew, Greek, and Latin? How many confessions we made? How many times we attended church? How high we jumped and how well we danced during “worship?” While in religion these are seen as “marks” of true Holy-Spirit-led Christian service, the Holy Spirit Himself has quite a different opinion (today’s Scripture).

In Corinth, carnality and Biblical ignorance abounded among Christians. It broke Paul’s heart to see that assembly in spiritual shambles… the very same saints he had taught personally for 18 months (Acts 18:11)! Pagan philosophy had enticed and deceived them, they were suing each other, they behaved as drunken gluttons at the Lord’s Supper, they abused spiritual gifts for personal gratification, et cetera. The Corinthians thought they were so spiritual and so wise, while in reality they were so fleshly and so silly! (Like today’s professing “church!”)

Today’s Scripture declares that a Spirit-led Christian, one speaking on behalf of God, acknowledged Paul’s apostolic authority over us Gentiles. The Corinthians were not spiritual—they rejected Paul’s apostleship in chapters 10 through 13 of 2 Corinthians. Paul knew, however, some Christians would continue deliberately ignoring his apostleship. His advice? Let them stay “ignorant!”

First Corinthians 2:6-8 says God’s “hidden wisdom” is manifested for all to see in the writings of Paul the Apostle, Romans through Philemon. Sadly, like the Corinthians, most true Christians today are too deceived, too weak, and too immature to appreciate “the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.” They cannot handle the deeper things of God. May we be as patient with them as possible, but when they persistently resist God’s truth, do not waste time. Friend, move on to others!

Paul and Dispensationalism #8

Saturday, August 15, 2015

“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 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

Indeed, 95 to 99 percent of professing “Christianity” is doctrinally weak. Most alleged “Christians” and most true Christians have an extremely feeble grasp of Scripture. This ignorance applies not only to church members but also to preachers and priests and theologians… the “blind” leading the “blind” (Matthew 15:14)! How did such a spiritual mess arise? Honestly, the “church” has focused on founding religious organizations and defending denominational tenets. There was no sound and proper Bible study. The Bible was merely scanned and appealing verses were chosen—that weak foundation produced the current frail, teetering structure.

More commentaries (further confusing them) have been read than verses in the Holy Bible! More time has been spent recounting worthless stories, telling jokes, singing and jumping, and re-teaching and re-teaching basic verses, than time spent preaching a clear Gospel message and teaching a profitable Bible lesson! More energy has been spent organizing weddings, baby showers, dances, food and clothing drives, and bingo nights than energy expended in planning Bible conferences and Bible camps! The average church almost entirely neglects the Bible, especially Paul’s epistles. No wonder the average local church is not “dying” but dead!

The professing “church” has utterly failed to grasp today’s Scripture. They usually cannot adequately delineate Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day). They do not understand Paul’s special ministry, “the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.” They do not know how those Pauline books fit with the overall Bible scheme. Basically, they have not been “stablished” (stabilized) and spiritually matured. Therefore, they are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). Such ignorance is the result of ignoring Pauline dispensationalism!

Paul and Dispensationalism #7

Friday, August 14, 2015

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;” (Titus 1:1-3 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

A certain body of divine truth applies today—“the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). Today’s Scripture calls it, “the faith of God’s elect” and “the truth which is after godliness.” If our lives are to be godly, we must have the doctrine that produces godlikeness. Paul says that he was made a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to reveal that doctrine to us. God Almighty Himself commanded that Saul of Tarsus be made the Apostle Paul. Through Paul’s writings, God has manifested the doctrine that will not only produce eternal life in heaven but eternal life right now on Earth!

God had promised a special eternal life before the world began. It would be His life manifested through the Church the Body of Christ (1 Timothy 3:16). However, God kept that secret for 4,000 years. When “due times” came, God revealed the secret to the Apostle Paul. All the world, through Israel’s fall, could access Him by faith in His Son’s finished crosswork! What was once limited to Israel (Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 20:28; Acts 5:31; et cetera), is now available to all nations—righteousness through Jesus Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection. This we learn only from Paul’s ministry!

“[3]…God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] 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” (1 Timothy 2:3-7).

Paul and Dispensationalism #6

Thursday, August 13, 2015

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

A preacher recently described his former days in Bible College. Students were to pick sides in the infamous “Paul-James debate,” better known as the “faith-without-works-versus-faith-plus-works clash.” There were those who would quote verses from Romans chapters 3 and 4 and then there were those who would cite verses from James chapter 2. The loser of the debate would be the one who ran out of verses to quote!

All religious absurdities aside, James chapter 2 is quite a simple passage. However, cults mindlessly quote James chapter 2 out of context. Before James wrote chapter 2, he wrote chapter 1, the key to grasping chapter 2! For example, James wrote, “to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, greeting…. The trying of your faith worketh patience” (1:1,3). Firstly, James is writing to the nation Israel, not us Gentiles! James would know more about his own epistle than today’s theologians and ecclesiastical leaders, yes? Secondly, James is encouraging believing Israel in their “trial of their faith.” They are being tested. Satan’s evil world system (the Antichrist) is tempting believing Israel to follow him. In chapter 2, James tells Israel to follow believing Father Abraham, to have works that demonstrate their salvation (verses 14-26).

Paul, however, writes to us Gentiles (Romans 11:13). We are under grace, not law (today’s Scripture). Fellowship with God today is not dependent on our performance—it is Jesus Christ’s performance at Calvary. Romans through Philemon never tell us we must work to be saved or to prove our salvation. Israel must demonstrate her faith with works, but we are under no such requirements in our Dispensation of Grace. It is important that we get this, for if we place ourselves under law, sin will dominate our lives. However, if we understand how the grace life begins (Romans chapters 3-5), how it operates (Romans chapters 6-8), and what it looks like (Romans chapters 12-16), we will not fall prey to legalism. We will not mix law and grace as the Galatians did. Pauline dispensationalism spares us from misery, frustration, and defeat!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How did God ‘testify’ of Abel’s gifts?”

Paul and Dispensationalism #5

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

Today’s Scripture is part of a larger context (verses 1-15). Paul rarely writes about prophecy, so when he does, we had better take note. Verses 1 and 2 explain Paul’s purpose in writing it: “[1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, [2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”

Erroneous (false) teaching had distressed Thessalonica. Someone had forged a letter using Paul’s name! The Thessalonian believers were suffering immense persecution for their Christian testimony (see 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6)—actually, some had already been killed (1 Thessalonians 4:13)! Evidently, that forged letter taught the Thessalonians that they had missed the Rapture, and they were now experiencing the horrors of the Daniel’s 70th week, the seven-year Tribulation! (Sound familiar?) These poor Christians were like many poor Christians today—“shaken in mind” and “troubled.” It is not uncommon for “Christian” people to say today, “I refuse that Mark of the Beast! Look at this computer chip, this smartphone, this I.D. card! Oh Lord, help me resist the Antichrist!” Frankly, beloved, this is foolishness! Paul wrote today’s Scripture to correct such flawed theology.

Our Dispensation of Grace has—we have—nothing to do with Israel’s program. Nothing! Theologians may not see it (because they refuse), but today’s Scripture says our program is postponing Israel’s prophetic program. Paul’s words in this second chapter of 2 Thessalonians can save us from sensationalistic prophecy preaching. May we let the Holy Spirit use today’s Scripture to comfort and encourage our souls—the Body of Christ is appointed to heaven, not wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9)!

For more information about this, you can see our study, “Is prophecy being fulfilled in the Dispensation of Grace?”

For more information about the King James Bible’s wording in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, you can see our study, “Should the King James’ term “Christ” actually be “Lord” in 2 Thessalonians 2:2?”

Paul and Dispensationalism #2

Sunday, August 9, 2015

“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;” (Ephesians 3:1-5 KJV).

What else can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

Protesters of dispensational Bible study often resort to the ridiculous claim, “Dispensationalism was invented in the late 1800s-early 1900s by Darby, Larkin, and Scofield.” Bless their dear hearts—they need to hush and study today’s Scripture in their 1611 King James Bible. The Bible term “dispensation” existed long before the 1800s!

Beloved, we do not recognize, believe, and teach dispensational Bible study to be different (although we are different for recognizing, believing, and teaching it). Friends, we do not recognize, believe, and teach dispensational Bible study to be ridiculed (although we are ridiculed for recognizing, believing, and teaching it). Brethren, we do not recognize, believe, and teach dispensational Bible study to be shunned (although we are shunned for recognizing, believing, and teaching it). So be it! Let us be different, ridiculed, and shunned! Praise our Lord Jesus Christ that we are in the same predicament as the apostle He sent to us Gentiles!

Unless someone did not want to see, he or she would understand that “the dispensation of the grace of God” was given to the Apostle Paul (today’s Scripture). Jesus Christ revealed to Paul a secret, “the mystery of Christ.” Verse 6 elaborates: “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” The secret was that He would form a body of believing Jews and Gentiles, the Church the Body of Christ, separate and distinct from the nation Israel. This Body of Christ was to be formed, strengthened, and manifested to all, through Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. God delayed Israel’s program to form this new agency!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is prophecy being fulfilled in the Dispensation of Grace?”

Paul and Dispensationalism #1

Saturday, August 8, 2015

“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 1:15,16 KJV).

What can the Apostle Paul teach us about dispensational Bible study?

God’s wrath that was about to fall on Jesus-rejecting Israel in Acts chapter 7 never came. For 2,000 years now, that prophecy has been delayed. Today, sinful mankind continues to rub God’s nose in his sin. They marry whomever they want, worship whatever they want, steal whatever they want, kill whomever they want, oppress whomever they want, say whatever they want, and do whatever else they want. They replace Jesus Christ’s crosswork with their (meager) “righteous deeds.” Haughtily, they ask, “Just what are You going to do about it, God? Not saying or doing anything about what I am doing? You must not exist, then!”

Paul plainly declared in today’s Scripture what happened to the wrath that was literally moments away in early Acts. As Saul of Tarsus, Israel’s leader in arresting, torturing, and executing Messianic Jews, he was the primary character in God’s crosshairs. God’s wrath could have literally crushed Saul of Tarsus! He was “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious” but he “obtained mercy,” because he “did it ignorantly in unbelief” (verse 13). Saul instead experienced “the GRACE of our Lord [that] was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (verse 14).

Saul’s worthless ministry was finished, permanently suspended. Now, he would be the first member of the Body of Christ. Saul would be the prime specimen of God’s longsuffering. Why has God’s wrath not yet fallen on this evil world? Look at Paul the pattern! The program that allowed Paul to escape God’s wrath is now operating today, that others may also escape that impending wrath. Oh, friend, may you not delay another second. Come by simple faith in Jesus Christ’s shed blood, His death, His burial, and His resurrection as sufficient payment for your sins. Follow Paul your pattern!

A Man of 27, a Master of Geology, and His God of Grace

Friday, August 7, 2015

“But by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10a KJV).

Saints, today is a special day for two reasons. Firstly, today is my 27th birthday! Secondly, I am graduating college with a master’s degree in geology!

These past 27 years have been quite a joy, despite the many “valleys.” Furthermore, I have spent one-third of my life in college—those nine years (4 1/2 years as an undergraduate and 4 1/2 years as a graduate student) were fun as well. All of these years have just flown by and two major chapters of my life have now closed. What a thrilling concept! There is a certain sadness to it as well, I suppose. I now have to adjust to many new circumstances.

I still have a lot more to learn about life and in life, but I thank our God and Father for preserving me all these years and shielding me from the evil world system that Satan intended to use to defile me. The men and women who played a vital role in my physical life as well as my spiritual life and my intellectual life, I will never forget them—my parents, my two older brothers, my friends and classmates, my teachers and professors, pastors, and many others. While not everything they taught me was good information, it did greatly sharpen me and cause me to better appreciate God’s truths that I learned as a small child.

So, what now, you ask? I have not yet made any final decisions, but I do have a tentative schedule with prospective goals. It does involve Earth science, that I know. We will see where ministry takes me as well. On one hand it is exciting, but on the other the mysterious part of it produces some anxiety. 🙂 For those of you who have prayed for me all these years, thank you from the bottom of my heart. We can now see that those prayers were not in vain. Our Lord Jesus Christ did a mighty work and we rejoice in Him that He has some wonderful plans to come!

Grad 2015Shawn Brasseaux
Master of Science, Geology
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
2015