DM#16: Things written aforetime were written for our learning

Doctrine of the Mysteries #16

Things written aforetime were written for our learning

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

Before I mention some insights about our key verse above, I’d like you to read the passage below, taking note of the name of the doctrine and the timing of its revelation,

Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  (26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The content of Paul’s 13-epistles makes up the ‘MYSTERY’ doctrine for the grace believer today, 1Cor 4:1; Eph 3:3-4. According to Rom 16:25 above, the mystery doctrine was kept secret since the world began, BUT NOW has been made manifest for our consumption. This doctrine was not intended for other dispensations but was designed for the delivery of pure grace to us through Christ and was targeted exclusively for a spiritual body with a heavenly purpose.

Now, let’s compare the above with the following verse,

Act 3:20  And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:  (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.

In this verse, Peter is preaching the Kingdom doctrine, which is part of the prophetic program, and spoken by the mouth of God’s holy prophets since the world began. This is a completely different doctrine than the mystery doctrine for us. This Kingdom doctrine was designed for the delivery of a new covenant to Israel through their Messiah and was targeted exclusively for a physical nation with an earthly purpose.

With this in mind, let’s get back to our key verse for some essential insights.

Paul says that the things that were written aforetime were written for our learning. He did not tell us they were for our application. This is very important to note. In contrast, consider the following verse that Paul addresses to us,

Php 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

Here Paul is referring to the mystery doctrine, and it is this doctrine that, after we have learnt and understood it, he urges us to DO.

It is critical to note that there are two bodies of doctrine. The prophetic doctrine, that was written aforetime, is for our study and understanding, but not for our application. Why? Because it is not addressed to us. It is doctrine for Israel and for an earthly purpose. All that is needed is for us to have a good understanding of it, which helps to clarify why God needs two programs and why we are so different to Israel in God’s redemption plan. As for Paul’s mystery doctrine, it is for our study, and understanding, AND PRACTICE. Why? Because it is addressed to us, and designed to ready us spiritually, for a unique, heavenly purpose as the Body of Christ.