“For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Both of these verses denote a need to separate things that differ.. or “rightly divide”. Most of the newer versions of the bible leave out the words “rightly divide”. Also, many people have seen this verse but have failed to apply it to their bible study. Mixing of the law program, the kingdom program and the grace program is rampant in assemblies that name Christ.
Let’s let the word of God in the KJV teach us:
2 Timothy 3:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
God’s word teaches us and instructs us and yet it is a two-edged sword and it cuts and divides. It is a discerner of our thoughts. This means it is living and it will show us where our thoughts are right and where they are wrong. In the scriptures Jesus said “my words are spirit and my words are life” John 6:63 And yet, when Jesus came on this earth, many people were divided because their response to his words differed. They did not obey or keep his words and this caused division. Israel, the nation that had a covenant with God became apostate and fell because she would not receive her King as he was.. her Messiah. Romans 11:11. But because Israel fell, God opened the door of salvation unto those that were far off through the gospel of Christ given to us by Paul. This is a glorious “but now” reality for all people today who can be saved by faith alone.
So who is really causing the dividing? Jesus divides truth from error and so does his word. Satan’s tactic is to kill, steal and destroy, (John 10:10) and it is he who inspires departure from the truth. The war that we are in is not with flesh and blood.
The remnant in the days of Jesus (the 12 apostles and the kingdom saints) were few in number and the doctrine they followed caused division as the traditional Jews that did. It accept Jesus as their Messiah threw them out of the synagogues (Luke 21:12).
We all have been tainted by this world that we live in and we are in a constant need to let God’s truth be our truth. Romans 12:2 There in not one of us that is “perfect” (in our walk) but we press toward the mark of the high calling that is in Christ Jesus (Phl. 3:14). As a believer in Christ, I believe it is important first, when rightly dividing the word of truth; is to believe the word of God as the final authority in the King James Bible. Second, I believe we need to pay attention to what our apostle (the apostle of the Gentiles) says. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:15. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
The book of Ephesians in chapter 4 speaks of (4:4)one body, one Spirit, one hope of our calling,(4:5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and (4:6)one God who is Father of all. If you count, those are seven things that are one. One baptism means one baptism by the spirit..1 Corinthians 12:13 and Romans 6:6 By which we are baptized when we believe. This is an identification that we have when we are placed in the Son. This one baptism done by the Holy Spirit.
Do we need to add another water baptism to this. Or do we need another baptism and to be baptized with the spirit as on the day of Pentecost?
Acts 1:5 says For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Peter makes reference to the day of Pentecost when he speaks about the fulfillment of this baptism in acts 11:15. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as in us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Peter and his followers were baptized with the Holy Ghost, which empowered them to perform the signs and wonders promised to them in mark 16:17 and these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak in New tongues.
Paul has a different message for us today. As Peter was to lead the Jewish remnant, (the circumcision mentioned in Galatians 2:2), Paul was to lead the uncircumcision with the gospel of our salvation. Paul spoke of one baptism today. Paul’s ministry reveals that we are saved by faith apart from works. Romans 4:4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Ephesians 2:8-9 for by grace are ye saved through faith, and that bit of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.
And yet Peter tells his followers ” But in every nation he that feareth him (God) and worketh righteousness is accepted of him.” Peter told his followers also in acts 2:38 that they needed to “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost” when his heaters asked what they should do. Paul says we have been FORGIVEN ALL trespasses in Colossians 2:13. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
Paul was an apostle sent by the risen Lord Jesus Christ and he said he was “not sent to baptize” 1 Cor. 1:17 Paul baptized people in the period of Acts while he was ministering to the Jew first in his ministry (to the Jew first and also to the Greek). To the Jews he became a Jew, that he might save some. But in acts 28, he spoke his third time about the Israel’s stiff necked stance against the truth and said he would go to the far hence Gentiles. After this, you never see Paul command anyone to be baptized with water nor do you see any believers baptized with water. The Jews require a sign but Jews and Gentile today are all on the same plane.. they are either saved or they are not and Israel is currently set aside as a nation. As an Acts 9 mid acts dispensarionalisr, I believe that God started a new program when Paul was saved and thsr Paul’s letters romans through Philemon are our primary education in what God is calling us to understand as pertains to our commands for today.
But let us read all the word of God and believe it all. But let us pay attention to the things that have passed on and been replaced with new revelation. The book of acts is a book that reveals the dying away of one program and the emergence of another. We see Israel diminishing and we see Paul preaching in synagogues and homes and establishing churches in the gospel that saves us today. Paul preached Christ and Christ crucified as the power of God. 1 Corinthians 22-23
Paul’s followed in Thessalonica are a great example of faith. Here is Paul’s commendation to them.
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. 1Th.2:13
Romans 10:17 faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Paul knew in part when he wrote Corinthians but then later, he gave the full doctrine for this present day when he said “thou has fully known my doctrine.(2Ti. 3:10)” To fully know is to be past “knowing in part”. To fully know is to replace the partial knowledge with the full knowledge. To Paul it was committed to fulfil the word of God. We have the full word of God today thanks be to God!
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God.(Col.1:25)
Paul filled up (completed) the word of God. This is why he could say he fought the good fight and finished his course and kept the faith. 2Ti.4:7. Paul’s 13 letters are scripture. The influence his writing have in the Biblei are of paramount importance to us, the body of Christ. He dispensed the gospel that saves us today and he gave us the instructions by which we could find our labour approved before God. His final seven epistles were written after the Jews rejected his message and because of this there was a diminishing of signs and wonders and miracles. Today we walk by faith and not by sight(2Co.5:7). When you read through Paul’s epistles, they are all for us, but we do not follow his instructions for how to prophesy in Corinthians because the gift of prophecy has vanished with the complete word of God. Prophesy was a gift given during the time that the people “knew in part”.
The doctrine about speaking in tongues was for a church that was adjoined to a synagogue when Paul was still going to the Jew first. The Jews should have been provoked to jealousy to see that the Holy Spirit was leaving and going to the Gentiles next door.This was prophesied in Isa.28:11 “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.” The Jews required a sign(1Co.1:22)and God gave them sign after sign until the final sign was silence after Paul pronounced them dull of hearing and having closed their eyes. (Acts 28:27-28).. And the salvation of God would be sent unto the Gentiles and they will hear it.(Acts 28:28).. Israel would see the sign of Jonah.. No more prophets and no more apostles.. for two thousand years now. They had and still have the scriptures so they are without excuse today if they believe no the gospel. Today God is saving both Jew and Gentile who will believe the gospel that saves today.
The light that they were called to be (Isa.60:3)was put out and now they live in darkness unless they accept the gospel that saves today. They have become “not My people”(Hos.1:9) as a nation when they(as a nation) rejected their Messiah and failed to repent as they were told. But God had mercy on Israel nonetheless and sent the apostle Paul to them before the nation was set aside. Romans 9-11. Paul went in on a rescue mission before they were cast away to bring those individuals that would believe in the gospel of salvation a last chance to be saved. This was what he called “the work”.
Today God is saving all who will believe in the gospel that saves today.. He is not a respector of persons today. But after the catching up of the body of Christ, he will pour out his final judgement and Israel will be in his sight again..Also, those who bless Israel in that time will be blessed and the new covenant will be re-installed. Hebrews through Revelation is their instruction and hope for that time period. And then the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth will take place. At that time, we will be in the heavenlies(2Co.5:1) and Satan and his angels will be bound.
When we depart from our apostle, we are the ones causing division 1 Corinthians 11:1. God’s measure of our obedience is His word, not a church denomination nor someone who professes to be God’s spokesman with “new revelation”. God’s completed revelation for us is in His word. Paul knew some things Peter didn’t know.. Peter’s ministry was confined to the circumsion in acts 15 (Galatians 2:2).. so if you are following Peter’s commands, or Jesus’ earthly commands that were specific to the Jews, you have mistaken your identity😬
We should be diligent to let God’s word dwell in us and teach us and instruct us so that our service to Him will be approved. Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:17 Satan’s greatest weapon is our ignorance. How many times does the apostle Paul say, “I would not have you ignorant”?
The operation of cutting and dividing, and comparing scripture with scripture is done by careful study of the word of God. God makes distinctions for us in His Word so that we know which commands are for us and which commands are for someone else. When we read Israel’s mail, we need to know what part applies only to them and what things are true for us as well. Just as parents give instructions to each child based on the specific need of each child based on their maturity and abilities, God has done the same for mankind. Eph. 2:11 says that in times past we were cut off from God. The words But now appear in Paul’s epistles 21 times! Each time we see “but now”, we should Take note amd compare what was once and what is the new thing being revealed. We should ask ourselves: “how does this apply to me and what God calls me to believe?” We need to pay attention to what is said to whom it is said and the time (when) it was said.
Let the word of God say what it says where it says it and you will see the opposition from the course of this world and even other believers. But God will help you to stand if you place your trust in Him and his faithfulness. He is faithful and He will protect the things we commit to Him when we are in obedience to His word. There is no temptation that is not common to man But God will always provide a way out (of the temptation).
Gentiles in time past were cut off when they failed to come to God through Israel.. when they failed to become circumcised, when they did not bless a Jew, when they did not have faith in the God of Israel..
But Gentiles today, who were aliens from the covenants of promise are now made nigh by the blood of Christ. We have hearts that are spiritually circumcised though faith in Jesus Christ that has brought us nigh and now we have access to God. Not only do we have access to God, but we are joined to God. This is why we are called members of his body! Can we even appreciate this? We have become bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. This is one of the great mysteries Paul was given to reveal to the body of Christ:
Though we are joined to Christ in spirit, we await the redemption of the purchased possession when we get a new glorified body (the catching up) so that we can enjoy that one-ness in our new bodies!
Why would we want to go back under the law to please God when we have been grace by which we are saved? Why would we try to go back to ordinances that were blotted out to please him? Why would we depart from our apostle Paul who is the giver of the dispensation of the grace of God to us? He is the apostle of the Gentiles, just as Moses was the dispenser of the law. Departing from Paul’s words is the equivalent of departing from Christ. In Paul’s day, there was a huge apostasy.. “All they that be in Asia have left me”. Consider the ramifications if the church today would understand this.
Can you really find the gospel for today in Matthew through John in it’s entirety?
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