RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. “ 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
A student of the Word of God is spoken of as a “workman.” A Workman cannot intelligently do his work without a plan. He must have drawings and specifications. God said to Moses as to the Tabernacle, “See that thou make all things according to the ‘Pattern’ showed to thee in the mount.” Hebrews 8:5 KJV
The student of God’s Word must understand God’s Plan and Purpose in the Ages or there will be confusion in his work of interpreting the Scriptures. To this end charts are indispensable. But care must be taken not to depend on them alone. While the drawings and specifications of a building are separate, they must correspond. So a Biblical chart must correspond with the Word of God, or it may lead to error. The two must be compared. St. Augustine said – “Distinguish the Periods and the Scriptures will harmonize.”
While the Word of Truth is written FOR all classes of people, and FOR our learning, it is not addressed to all peoples in general, but part of it is addressed to the JEWS, part to the GENTILES, and part to the CHURCH. These three constitute the THREE CLASSES into which humanity is divided. 1 Corinthians 10:32. It follows therefore that while the whole Bible was written for the INSTRUCTION of the Church, it is not all written ABOUT the Church. The Church is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It was hid from the Old Testament prophets, and was a “Mystery” first revealed to Paul, and disclosed by him in Ephesians 3:1-10. The Old Testament is mostly taken up with the history of one nation, that of Israel. In the first 5 chapters of Genesis we are given the history of Creation, and 1700 years of human history. In the next 4 chapters we are given the account of the Flood. The 10th and 11th chapters give the account of 400 more years of human history, and then God singles out one man, Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), and from there on the whole of the Old Testament centers around the Jewish Race. When we take the Old Testament promises and apply them to the Church we rob the Jew of that which is exclusively his. For illustration, the prophecy of Isaiah is largely applied to the Church, whereas the very first verse declares that it is – “Concerning JUDAH and JERUSALEM.” Isaiah 1:1. In the New Testament the Epistles of Hebrews and James are Jewish. The Epistle of James is addressed not to the Church, but to the 12 TRIBES scattered abroad. James 1:1. Therefore, the “Prayer of Faith” (James 5:13-16) for the sick is not primarily a promise to the Church but to Israel, though doubtless it will be answered for all who comply with the conditions.
In “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth,” we must also distinguish the work of Christ. We are told in the Scriptures that He is a “Prophet,” “Priest” and “King.” But He does not hold those offices conjointly but successively. From the Fall in Eden to the Cross, He was a “Prophet.” He is now a “High Priest” and when He comes again, He will be a “King.” From Eden to the Cross there was an Altar, from the Cross to the Crown there is a Table (the Lord’s Table), and from the Crown to Christ’s surrender of the Kingdom there is a “Throne.” The Word of God and the Works of God must harmonize.
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrew 1:1-2 KJV
What does the author of this scripture mean by . . . .(a) sundry times, (b) divers manners, (c) time past vs. last days
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they should fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV
What is the proper interpretation of the above scripture?
A student of the Word of God is spoken of as a “workman.” A Workman cannot intelligently do his work without a plan. He must have drawings and specifications. God said to Moses as to the Tabernacle, “See that thou make all things according to the ‘Pattern’ showed to thee in the mount.” Hebrews 8:5 KJV
The student of God’s Word must understand God’s Plan and Purpose in the Ages or there will be confusion in his work of interpreting the Scriptures. To this end charts are indispensable. But care must be taken not to depend on them alone. While the drawings and specifications of a building are separate, they must correspond. So a Biblical chart must correspond with the Word of God, or it may lead to error. The two must be compared. St. Augustine said – “Distinguish the Periods and the Scriptures will harmonize.”
While the Word of Truth is written FOR all classes of people, and FOR our learning, it is not addressed to all peoples in general, but part of it is addressed to the JEWS, part to the GENTILES, and part to the CHURCH. These three constitute the THREE CLASSES into which humanity is divided. 1 Corinthians 10:32. It follows therefore that while the whole Bible was written for the INSTRUCTION of the Church, it is not all written ABOUT the Church. The Church is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It was hid from the Old Testament prophets, and was a “Mystery” first revealed to Paul, and disclosed by him in Ephesians 3:1-10. The Old Testament is mostly taken up with the history of one nation, that of Israel. In the first 5 chapters of Genesis we are given the history of Creation, and 1700 years of human history. In the next 4 chapters we are given the account of the Flood. The 10th and 11th chapters give the account of 400 more years of human history, and then God singles out one man, Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), and from there on the whole of the Old Testament centers around the Jewish Race. When we take the Old Testament promises and apply them to the Church we rob the Jew of that which is exclusively his. For illustration, the prophecy of Isaiah is largely applied to the Church, whereas the very first verse declares that it is – “Concerning JUDAH and JERUSALEM.” Isaiah 1:1. In the New Testament the Epistles of Hebrews and James are Jewish. The Epistle of James is addressed not to the Church, but to the 12 TRIBES scattered abroad. James 1:1. Therefore, the “Prayer of Faith” (James 5:13-16) for the sick is not primarily a promise to the Church but to Israel, though doubtless it will be answered for all who comply with the conditions.
In “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth,” we must also distinguish the work of Christ. We are told in the Scriptures that He is a “Prophet,” “Priest” and “King.” But He does not hold those offices conjointly but successively. From the Fall in Eden to the Cross, He was a “Prophet.” He is now a “High Priest” and when He comes again, He will be a “King.” From Eden to the Cross there was an Altar, from the Cross to the Crown there is a Table (the Lord’s Table), and from the Crown to Christ’s surrender of the Kingdom there is a “Throne.” The Word of God and the Works of God must harmonize.
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.” Hebrew 1:1-2 KJV
What does the author of this scripture mean by . . . .(a) sundry times, (b) divers manners, (c) time past vs. last days
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they should fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV
What is the proper interpretation of the above scripture?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by James Pierce on
-
Evan,
It's nice to see you too!
-
Permalink Reply by Archbishop Trevor 'Elihu' Greene on
-
Ah yes, one big happy BPN family.....
-
Permalink Reply by Chaplain Pat Harris on
-
You go Evangelist! Ha! Ha! Ha!
-
Permalink Reply by Hezekiah Ben Israel on
-
I created it brother.
-
-
God bless you Sis. Lee for sharing your testimony and bringing insight to this topic.
I posted this topic and a couple of others for the very purpose of learning from others as well, and to fellowship in a small way whenever possible - in between the knock downs and drag out debates and condemnations. :-)
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Raliegh Jones Jr..
Powered by
