Understanding and Interpreting the Bible
(Part 5B --- Dividing the PROGRAMS)
In our last post, Part 5A, we took a high level look at the two programs, simply discussing what they are and how they are different. I'd like to wrap up this series of lessons on "Understanding and Interpreting the Bible", by confirming the scriptural proof of the divisions n the programs of Israel and the Body of Christ.
As a reminder, the below picture illustrates that we have two main parts to God's overarching redemption plan. The realms of earth and heaven, physical and spiritual. Within each of these realms, we have a people group (or agency). Earth will be inherited to Israel, and heaven will be filled with the Body of Christ. We covered these details in depth in previous posts. To clarify the 'program' portions of the image below, I can describe it as follows. The programs are the actionable components of the two divided parts. They portray the 'modus operandi' of the two people groups. The details of the programs identify the people groups based on things like signs, law, prophecy as opposed to faith, grace and mystery. There have different gospels and different destinations. Whatever is defined in the programs provides the identity, lifestyle and actions that the people do and believe.
Let's now turn our attention to facts, by pointing to scriptures that clearly show a difference in the two programs. Just like the realms and agencies, the programs should also be kept distinct and separate, by avoiding the mixing of scriptures which would create a doctrine that is skewed, and false, and dangerous.
Since the World Began
Let's start with a timeline difference between the the two programs. We have these statements in scripture that refer to, "since the world began". One program refers to the fact that its 'modus operandi' was made known since the world began, and the other program clearly states is was kept secret since the world began. Now, how would one be able to mix that up?
Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began...
Luke 1:70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began...
Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— Eph.3:8-11; Col.1:25-29; 1 Cor.2:7-8
Clearly God had a plan in keeping the contents of these two programs apart. So why would preachers go about mixing up the content, grabbing promises and prophecies from Israel's program and bring it into today's program! This just won't work! One cannot pray and faith for things, or ask God to do things from a program that has been stopped 2000 years ago. If we are to trust in God and see His hand in our lives today, it will be by the program that God is currently blessing. God is present and working in the spiritual program of the Body of Christ today, not in the Israel program of old!
Two Gospels
Each program had it's own gospel, or good news of a way of salvation provided by God. The Israel program called it's gospel, "The Gospel of the Kingdom of God". This gospel was instructions for the Jews in Jesus day to ready themselves for the coming kingdom. It's instructions were specific to repentance, water baptism (for the remission of sins), confessing Jesus as the Messiah, obeying the law and receiving the Holy Spirit. It was a works-based gospel that demanded exercising faith, but also doing specific things to prove that faith. The book of James is quite explicit on these concepts.
On the other hand, the Body of Christ has a completely different gospel. It's focus was entirely set on the event of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Since Jesus had already done all the 'works' on our behalf, all that God requires of us is to trust in Christ; that is, to trust that He has done it all, and that His death was for our forgiveness, and His resurrection was for our justification, Rom.4:25. There is NOTHING more that you and I can do to add one iota of work to this already finished work. Our faith is in the cross, whereas the Jewish program does not even mention the cross in it's gospel. Peter said the cross was shameful (Acts 3:15) and something to repent from, while Paul would boast in the cross of salvation, Gal.6:14. One cannot deny some very different criteria! Have a look at the image below for the scriptures.
The Mysteries
I'm not going to expound on each of the mysteries that were introduced by Paul, but what I can say is that each of these were brand new revelations which were NEVER mentioned in prophecy or in teachings throughout the Old Testament or the four Gospels. This is why Paul says they are mysteries. The image below lists a few of the well know mysteries that he introduced, having received them directly by revelation from the glorified Jesus Christ. It is these mysteries that makes the grace program of the Body of Christ completely different to the Israel program. It is so different that one cannot even begin to combine the programs, yet sadly it gets done and produces such skewed, complicated and false doctrines in the churches today!
These are not all of the mysteries, but take time and consider the ones listed below. They belong to the Body of Christ, and its these mysteries that we should know and preach and live by. Prophecies, and the parables and teachings of Jesus during His earthly ministry are to be left in Israel's kingdom program. Our doctrine is found in Pau's writings alone.
We are not under The Law
To keep this post short, I'll simply provide the scriptural evidence of some other key differences in the Israel and Body of Christ programs. Consider that you and I today are not under the Mosaic law as God required Israel to be. The Law was the identity of the Jewish nation and God required them to keep the law as part of the covenant and redemption plan he was executing on earth. You and I today are not under that conditional requirement.
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Israel's Program |
Body of Christ Program |
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Jos.1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, Gal.4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, (everything was in place) God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, (born into the flesh nature; taking on flesh) born under the law (born under Jewish constraints), to redeem those who were under the law (Israel), Matt.5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matt.5:19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; |
Rom.6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. Rom.7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Gal.5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Col.2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or |
Physical Works versus Faith
Finally, here are some comparisons on the works and faith operations between the two programs. The idea in this image below is just to get an understanding that where miracles and signs were the order of the day in the Israel program, and that these were expected to verify and validate a messenger of God, the contrast to the Body of Christ program is that signs and physical proofs are not in effect today. God's operation and focus is on faith and spiritual dealings. Physical dealings will reactivate after our rapture when the program of Israel reactivates again. Just read the book of Revelation to see how the miraculous physical activities become the order of the day again.
This concludes the study on "Understanding and Interpreting the Bible". The key to this entire study rests on the understanding of 2 Tim.2:15 which instructs us to divide the Word rightly, and to know what is addressed to us today as the Body of Christ. Understanding the divisions of the Word and exercising it correctly will keep us doctrinally sound and prevent us from false doctrines and skewed scripture.
I hope this series blessed you and provided you with a richer understanding of the Bible.
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