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Learning Point One will never reach their full potential and service to God until one understands where to look in the Bible to find God's will for them. |
Recognizing and Understanding the Divisions in the Bible
Why are there so many different denominations? Why are there so many different opinions about topics such as water baptism, speaking in tongues, the Sabbath, eternal security, etc.? It is because many do not obey 2 Timothy 2:15. They do not rightly divide the word of truth. The only way to understand the Bible is to study it according to the divisional instructions given by God.
Rightly dividing the word of truth will open the Word of God to our understanding in a wonderful way. However, we must be willing to set aside the traditions of men and long-held denominational beliefs.
The Bible is not so difficult to understand as many people think it is. The key to unlocking its riches is found in the Bible itself.
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.
We can never understand the Bible unless we obey God and rightly divide His Word. What does it mean to rightly divide? The Greek word means to make a straight cut. We could think of a dressmaker cutting out pieces of cloth. Each piece of cloth must be properly cut and then placed in the appropriate place if the dress is to be a garment fit to wear. In the same way, we must rightly divide (or cut straight) the Word of God. Each portion must then be placed in the appropriate dispensation.
One of the most fundamental examples of biblical divisions
Not only does God tell us to rightly divide, but He gives us the divisions we should use. One of the most fundamental examples of several divisions that can be applied to scripture is found in Ephesians 2:7-13, which speaks of "time past", about "now", and also about "the ages to come". Let's have a look at the passage,
Eph.2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time [time past] ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Here, then, are three divisions in the Word of God: (1) time past; (2) now; and (3) the ages to come. Ephesians 2 makes it clear that each of these three divisions is vastly different from the other two. If you look at the top of the chart, you will see how they fit in with some other primary divisions within the Bible.
Time past relates to Israel under the law. It relates to prophecy which is mostly for Israel and their program to inherit the earth. Ages to come relates to the Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom (which is primarily for Israel), and it also provides some glancing information about eternity future. The "but now" portion is specific to us today. It relates to the program of grace, the dispensation which you and I are in today. The "but now" portion of the Bible can be found in the writings of Paul, Romans to Philemon, which provides us with the doctrine which we are to learn and live today.
Whenever we open the Bible, we must know if we are reading about "time past" or "now" or "the ages to come." Many Christians attempt to live their lives based on what God said to people in "time past" or to those who will live in "the ages to come." If one is not living according to the instructions given for their specific period, one can miss the blessings that God has provided for that specific time. One can miss the mark of God's will and end up practicing wrong doctrine, and even worse, teach others false doctrine too. One will never reach their full potential and service to God until they understand where to look in the Bible to find God's will for them in this day and age.
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