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
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Permalink Reply by Hezekiah Ben Israel on
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Hmmmmm
Good good thread.
Let's hope we can shed some light on the subject. Israel, what say ye?
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Permalink Reply by Chaplain Pat Harris on
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LOL, LOL, LOL,
I AM ARMED AND DANGEROUS!!!!!!
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Brother Watson,
We don't condemn you, we condemn your doctrine.
I think you are a nice guy on this site. Even though you think we are condemning you, you continue to bring you false doctrine, but you do learn. If someone was wrong, and or lying would you just let them lie, or be wrong, or would you help them. I know I go hard with the truth. But if I was son nice and sweet all the time you would not learn anything. We are trying to help save souls, so that we may be forgiven, and enter into the kingdom.
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Permalink Reply by A.W. Bowman on
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Now this should be good, and I am really interested to see the offerings.
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Permalink Reply by James Pierce on
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The proper interpretation is that one cannot come back to repentance if they have completely given up.
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This is correct.
This is called blaspheme of the Holy Ghost.
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Permalink Reply by Evangelist Altha Fugett on
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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
At different ages and in different ways God spoke through prophets to the forefathers of the Jews, but now in these days HE speaks directly to us, who have received him as Lord in our lives through our personal relationship with HIM, who is King of all and our Creator.
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
one should start at the first verse however, one that has known the goodness of God , HIS spirit,His truth and turns his back is now a reprobate and lost
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Amen Sis. Fugett to Hebrews l:1-2 KJV
As to Hebrews 6:4-6 KJV
One interpretation holds that this passage is written not about Christians but about unbelievers who are convinced of the basic truths of the gospel but who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. They are intellectually persuaded but spiritually uncommitted.
According to this interpretation, the phrase “once enlightened” (verse 4) refers to some level of instruction in biblical truth. However, understanding the words of scripture is not the same as being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. For example, John 1:9 describes Jesus, the “true Light,” giving light “to every man”; but this cannot mean the light of salvation, because not every man is saved. Through God’s sovereign power, every man has enough light to be held responsible. This light either leads to the complete acceptance of Jesus Christ or produces condemnation in those who reject such light. The people described in Hebrews 6:4-6 are of the latter group—unbelievers who have been exposed to God’s redemptive truth and perhaps have made a profession of faith, but have not exercised genuine saving faith.
This interpretation also sees the phrase “tasted the heavenly gift” (Hebrews 6:9) as referring to a momentary experience, akin to Jesus’ “tasting” death (Hebrews 2:9). This brief experience with the heavenly gift is not seen as equivalent to salvation; rather, it is likened to the second and third soils in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13:3-23), which describes people who receive the truth of the gospel but are not truly saved.
Finally, this interpretation sees the “falling away” (Hebrews 6:6) as a reference to those who have tasted the truth but, not having come all the way to faith, fall away from even the revelation they have been given. The tasting of truth is not enough to keep them from falling away from it. They must come all the way to Christ in complete repentance and faith; otherwise, they in effect re-crucify Christ and treat Him contemptuously. Those who sin against Christ in such a way have no hope of restoration or forgiveness because they reject Him with full knowledge and conscious experience. They have concluded that Jesus should have been crucified, and they stand with His enemies. It is impossible to renew such to repentance.
The other interpretation holds that this passage is written about Christians, and that the phrases “partakers of the Holy Ghost,” “enlightened,” and “tasted of the heavenly gift” are all descriptions of true believers.
According to this interpretation, the key word in the passage is if (verse 6). The writer of Hebrews is setting up a hypothetical statement: “IF a Christian were to fall away . . .” The point being made is that it would be impossible (IF a Christian falls away) to renew salvation. That’s because Christ died once for sin (Hebrews 9:28), and if His sacrifice is insufficient, then there’s no hope at all.
The passage, therefore, presents an argument based on a false premise (that a true Christian can fall away) and follows it to its senseless conclusion (that Jesus would have to be sacrificed again and again). The absurdity of the conclusion points up the impossibility of the original assumption. This reasoning is called reductio ad absurdum, in which a premise is disproved by showing that it logically leads to an absurdity.
Both of these interpretations support the security of the believer in Christ. The first interpretation presents unbelievers rejecting Christ and thereby losing their chance of salvation; the second interpretation presents the very idea of believers losing salvation as impossible. Many scriptures make it abundantly clear that salvation is eternal (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:35, 38-39; Philippians 1:6; 1 Peter 1:4-5), and Hebrews 6:4-6 confirms that doctrine.
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Praise the Lord Chaplain, my one problem with the latter is the OSAS doctrine being promoted. I personally do not believe that doctrine as true.
Your statement or the statement that goes " not about Christians but about unbelievers who are convinced of the basic truths of the gospel but who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. They are intellectually persuaded but spiritually uncommitted." is not biblically sound.
We are saved by confessing with our mouths and believing in our hearts, that Jesus lived, died, rose and ascended. When one is convinced of this basic truth, they are saved.
a measure of faith is given to us all by God Romans 12:3 ....according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
being enlightened and partakers of o the Holy Ghost is an experience that ones can lose according to 2Cor10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
key words underlined, if the Spirit man is not fed he will not grow and will die, and the demons(strongholds) that habitated in the vessel before return stronger.
Let's not forget as well Adam and Eve they were in perfect harmony with God, they sinned and fell. If what is advocated above was true, then a Christian blaspheming the Holy Spirit would be secure as well?
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Rightly dividing the word is reading the word by the law, and testamony line upon line Precept upon Precept, here a little there a little. In other words If your lesson is entitled "Israel vs the Jews of Today, then all of the scriptures have to be about that subject, and it has to line up to be understood.
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Hez,
Create that thread dealing with Israel vs the Jews of today.
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Yes! create that thread, then rightly divide it Jaaaaaames
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