Q&A Concerning Rightly Dividing and Jesus versus Paul

Q&A Concerning Rightly Dividing and Jesus versus Paul

QUESTION (on social media):

Why do people say "You don't have to obey Jesus because Paul said we are saved by grace?" Jesus said whoever doesn't obey his words, is building on sand. (Matthew 7:24-27) Paul was for Jesus.

MY REPLY:

ALL the words that Jesus spoke are spirit and life, Jn.6:63, but we must take note to WHOM Jesus spoke. In his earthly ministry, Jesus spoke to the Jews. His entire earthly ministry was directed to his people to save them so that Israel could be a light to the Gentiles, as prophecy describes. Jesus himself says the following,

Mat_15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (See also Matt.10:5–6)

Paul tells us this of Jesus earthly ministry,

Rom_15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

So, Jesus in this regard was not directing his teachings to us today since he ministered under law and to the Jews. Naturally we can take lessons from Jesus' teachings for us if they agree with our doctrine, but for that which is contrary, it is not for our application. This statement I have just written can only be fully understood if one understands how to rightly divide the Word of truth, 2Tim.2:25.

What doctrine then do we learn and live today? It is the words of Jesus given to us from heaven; the words written in the epistles of Paul. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles, Rom.11:13, and his writings (given to him by Jesus Christ) is addressed to us as the Body of Christ today. Romans is our foundation, containing our gospel and spiritual orientation. The rest of Paul’s church epistles are our curriculum to grow up in Christ from babes to sons.

God bless.

RESPONSE:

Thanks for answering. But I am just going to address a part of your comment.

“So, Jesus in this regard was not directing his teachings to us today since he ministered under law and to the Jews.” -Rudi

So, IF Jesus was not directing his teachings towards us to obey, I guess John 3:16 does not apply to us either, since it’s for the Jews and all.

MY REPLY:

This is why I started my earlier reply with Jn.6:63, which says that all God’s words are spirit and life. All of God’s written words are inspired and useful for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, 2Ti_3:16. As believers today we learn of God and His will and plans from all of scripture. However, we cannot ignore rightly dividing the scriptures, 2Ti_2:15, as it prevents confusion and contradictions in biblical doctrine. What do we rightly divide? Doctrine. Doctrine describes the principles that we walk by and apply our lives to. We rightly divide this from other doctrine which was given to Israel, and which contradicts the principles and instructions in our doctrine today.

So, here is the short answer based on my above statement:
If what we read anywhere in scripture complements (agrees with) our doctrine in Paul’s epistles, we apply it. Conversely, if it does not agree in principle, it is not our doctrine and not for our application.

Here is a simple example.

Jesus taught his disciples concerning forgiveness. Here is what Jesus said,

Mat_6:14-15  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  (15)  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Notice it is conditional. ‘IF’ you forgive, God will forgive you. ‘IF’ you don’t forgive, God will not forgive you. This is based on law, just as many conditional statements are.

Now look what the Lord Jesus inspire Paul to write about forgiveness,

Eph_4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Col_2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Notice it is past tense. We are already forgiven, lock, stock and barrel. As believers our sins are nailed to the cross of Christ; his blood has washed us clean. In this regard Paul instructs us to forgive, because we are ourselves forgiven. There is no condition attached to it.

What do we learn from this example?

Forgiveness in the Kingdom doctrine which Jesus taught in his earthly ministry is different to forgiveness that Paul instructs us to follow. We cannot follow both! They contradict each other. Jesus says we are not forgiven unless we first forgive our brother. Paul says we are utterly forgiven already, without the condition to first forgive.

Which one do you follow? Jesus’ law-based instruction or Paul’s grace instruction. Well, this is where we must rightly divide the word of truth. We follow Paul’s instruction because Paul was called to be our apostle by Jesus Christ, Rom.11:13. Paul instructs us to be followers of him (see: 1Co_4:16; 1Co_11:1; Eph_5:1; Php_3:17) as he is the pattern (see: 1Ti_1:16 ) and example of our form of doctrine today. Jesus gave Paul the authority and commands to speak on His behalf, 1Co_14:37,

1Co_14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

CONCLUSION:

We study ALL of scripture. We learn of God and His ways, judgements and character through the words in the Bible. The scripture in Jn_3:16 you referenced is a statement of truth, not a doctrinal instruction. We can easily accept that God loved the world and gave His only Son as a sacrifice for our salvation. Paul confirms this over and over again. Much of Proverbs is about wisdom. There is much in this book that we can learn. General truth is all over the Bible, but when it comes to principles and instructions to apply to our lives, we must abide by Paul’s doctrine as this is addressed specifically to us for our application. Being aware God’s dispensations, specifically for Israel under law and prophecy as compared to the Body of Christ under grace and mystery is of paramount importance. Then rightly dividing the doctrine between these dispensations will begin to clarify scripture and lead one into a better understanding of God’s will and requirements for us under grace. If you ignore this, as much of our modern denominations do today, sadly, they remain confused and hopelessly lost, trying to make sense of practicing a mixture of doctrine that keep contradicting itself across scripture. This is why we have so many denominations today, each thinking they are serving God is the correct form. It reminds me of the following verses,

Rom_10:1-4  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  (2)  For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  (3)  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

2Ti_3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I hope this clarifies my views and I hope it relays some motivation for you to investigate the points I raise and make your own conclusions concerning the scriptures I referenced in this reply.

God bless.