Misused Verse Spotlight: John 15:6

Misused Verse Spotlight: John 15:6

“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” — John 15:6 (KJV)

This verse is often quoted to suggest that believers must “abide” in Christ to remain saved—and that failure to do so results in being cast into hell. But this interpretation confuses two distinct programs: Israel’s prophetic kingdom program and the Church’s mystery program under grace.

Let’s rightly divide.

🔹 Who Was Jesus Speaking To?

John 15 is part of Christ’s final discourse to His Jewish disciples before the cross. The Church had not yet begun, and Paul’s gospel of grace was still hidden (Ephesians 3:9). Jesus was speaking to Israel’s believing remnant—those called to bear fruit and remain faithful under the kingdom gospel.

The vine imagery is covenantal. Israel was God’s vineyard (Isaiah 5:1-7), and Jesus is the “true vine” (John 15:1), the faithful embodiment of Israel. To “abide” in Him meant to remain loyal to Messiah, bearing fruit in anticipation of the earthly kingdom.

🔹 What Happens to the Jew Who Abides?

Dispensational Clarity concerning the Unity of God

Many who oppose dispensational truth often raise concerns about the unity of God and the gospel, suggesting that dispensational teaching divides God's nature, fragments His message, and introduces conflicting standards of salvation. These objections typically centre around five key claims, as listed below—each aiming to discredit the legitimacy of rightly dividing the Word. 

In this post, we will examine these claims carefully and demonstrate, through Scripture alone, that these arguments are unfounded. Far from undermining unity, dispensational truth clarifies God's consistent character, His unfolding gospel, and His sovereign plan across time.

Claims concerning the Unity of God and the Gospel

• Dispensationalism divides Scripture into eras that allegedly change God’s requirements, fracturing the unity of His nature and voice.
• It implies God operates differently in different dispensations, altering His will, law, and gospel — contradicting His immutability (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8).
• It creates multiple gospels (kingdom, grace, everlasting), which undermines the singularity of salvation and violates Galatians 1:8.
• It separates the teachings of Jesus from the Church, making His commands seem irrelevant to believers today.
• It treats the gospel as a system of timelines rather than a revelation of one Person — Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Dispensational Clarity concerning the Unity of God

One of the most common objections to dispensational truth is the claim that it divides God, fragments His gospel, and undermines His eternal nature. Critics often assert that dispensationalism teaches multiple ways of salvation, conflicting divine standards, and a fractured view of Christ’s teachings. But these accusations stem from a misunderstanding of what dispensationalism actually affirms. Far from dividing God, dispensational truth rightly distinguishes His dealings with mankind across time, while preserving the unity of His character, His gospel, and His redemptive purpose.

Let us examine and correct five common misconceptions.

The Confession Trap: What This Verse Doesn’t Say

The Confession Trap: What 1 John 1:9 Doesn’t Say

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Confusion

Many believers are taught that this verse is a daily requirement for maintaining salvation or staying “in fellowship” with God. Some even fear that unconfessed sin breaks their relationship with Christ or causes them to lose salvation. This leads to a performance-based mindset, where forgiveness is seen as conditional and uncertain.

The Context

1 John was written to address false teachings and to affirm the truth about Jesus Christ. The opening chapter contrasts light and darkness, truth and deception. Verse 9 is part of a broader appeal to unbelievers who claim to have no sin. John is not prescribing a ritual for believers to regain fellowship, but offering a gospel invitation to those who deny their need for forgiveness.

Enduring to the End: What Matthew 24:13 Really Means

“Enduring to the End: What Matthew 24:13 Really Means”

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13

The Confusion

This verse is frequently misunderstood and misapplied, especially by those unfamiliar with dispensational distinctions. Many interpret it as teaching that salvation in any age depends on one’s ability to persevere through trials or remain faithful until death. This interpretation can lead to fear, insecurity, and a works-based view of salvation. However, when rightly divided, the verse reveals a very specific meaning tied to Israel’s prophetic program, not the Church’s mystery calling.

The Context

Matthew 24 is part of the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus speaks to His Jewish disciples about events that will unfold during the future Tribulation period. The chapter outlines signs of the end, including deception, persecution, and cosmic disturbances. The audience is clearly Israel, and the context is prophetic, not doctrinal instruction for the Body of Christ. Verse 13, then, must be understood within this framework.

Why It’s Misunderstood

The phrase “endure unto the end” does not refer to mere physical survival through the Tribulation, nor does it imply that salvation is earned by longevity. Rather, it speaks of spiritual endurance — remaining faithful to the Messiah under extreme pressure, even unto death. The “saved” in this context are those who do not abandon their testimony, who refuse to worship the beast, and who remain rooted in their faith despite persecution. This is consistent with Revelation 12:11, which honors those who “loved not their lives unto the death,” and with Jesus’ own words in Luke 9:62, warning that those who look back are not fit for the Kingdom.

Understanding The Gospel (An IMPORTANT message for learning and understanding the Bible)

Understanding The Gospel (An IMPORTANT message for learning and understanding the Bible)

Here is an important teaching from Paul Lucas, dealing with "the understanding of the gospel". I plan to upload only this video (on my YouTube channel), the first in a series that Paul will present and upload to his channel going forward. I encourage you to watch this video and return to his channel for the subsequent videos in this series. 

What I find of great value in this teaching series is not only the proper understanding of  what the bible refers to as the gospel, but even more importantly is the information we can learn concerning studying the bible itself; how to look for and understand patterns in the perfect design of God's word in the King James Authorized version, how to interpret each word as it is set in place in the sentence structure, and how to take time in studying and cross referencing the text within the passage, and within the context of the book in which it occurs, and in context with other books in the Bible itself. 

As Paul says in the video, the King James version is a PERFECT book in design, in grammar, in information structure, and in its message. How can we exhaust just one book, let alone all 66. God is all wise and He has ensured that the words in the KJV communicate this to us in great detail and accuracy.

Click here to view the video. The make sure to go to Paul's channel here and look out for the rest of the series as and when they are uploaded.

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

That I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead

Php 3:7-14  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.  (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (9)  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (11)  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  (12)  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  (13)  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

What does Paul mean when he says, “attaining unto the resurrection of the dead”? What is the resurrection of the dead? Well, it might not be what you think! Paul is not talking about being raised from the dead at the rapture. No! The rapture is not the context of this passage, neither does it even fit into the truths that he is teaching the Philippians. So, let’s do some bible study to see exactly what Paul is talking about.

People today DO receive the Holy Spirit just as it was in the day of Pentecost.

People today DO receive the Holy Spirit just as it was in the day of Pentecost.

COMMENT:

People today DO receive the Holy Spirit just as it was in the day of Pentecost. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. People Do get baptized by the Spirit and fire today, speaking in tongues and receiving spiritual gifts. This promise was then, and this promise is still active today until the day of the coming of our Lord. If you have not received the baptism of Holy Spirit, then seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you!

ANSWER:

For about 30-years of my faith walk, I was in the Pentecostal and Charismatic denominational circles. I claimed to be 'baptized in the Spirit' and I participated in many intercessory prayer meetings, functioning in 'tongues', 'prophecy' and teaching. After I moved out from those denominational circles, through circumstances, I committed to really study the Word, looking first at prophecy and the gospels. When I continued into Paul’s epistles, I started to see a VERY different pattern. Paul said some really strange, but interesting things, like,

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 5)

Studying the Bible in the correct context

Start this series of posts with: Part 1

I stand firm on the fact that our primary objective, as grace believers, is to come to a knowledge of God’s Word. However, I also understand that we live our lives, day by day, bearing responsibilities, and being pulled into different directions due to demands, circumstances, and issues of life. So how do we balance the two? Well, the key to note is that 1Tim.2:4 does not have a deadline. We do not need to learn ALL truth and be experts in Bible doctrine before we can be used of the Lord. Life does not stop because we first have to learn ALL truth! No. The Lord provides us the opportunities daily, to encourage and edify others based on the measure of truth we know at our personal levels. We can offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord daily, allowing the truth of the Word within us, to make us ambassadors of God’s kingdom, and reconcilers who show God’s love and forgiveness to others.

Even as babes in Christ, new believers can share the gospel with others through their testimony. However, our objective is to grow steadily in knowledge, not all at once, but daily, over our lifetime, so that we can increase in our responsibility of ambassadorship and in our ministry of reconciliation. Every grace believer can be a light for God’s kingdom, but when it comes to teaching others about God’s Word, this is when proper knowledge is very important. This is when the truth we know either approves us or disapproves us before God. Let me explain.

Two biblical doctrines given at two separate times for two different purposes.

Two biblical doctrines given at two separate times for two different purposes.

When one studies the bible, cross referencing scripture and comparing verses between Paul’s writings and the rest of the bible, the evidence is overwhelming that the risen Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul a completely different doctrine from that which was written in the prophets. In this short post, I simply want to highlight one glaring piece of evidence, out of a myriad of others, to bring your attention to the fact that we need to know and understand these different doctrines and interpret the bible in accordance with this understanding.

The first two verses below inform of knowledge given since the creation of the world. The latter three speak of knowledge that was kept secret (or hidden) since the creation of the world. There can be no objection to the timing within these statements. Prophecy was given since the world began, but Paul’s mystery doctrine was kept secret at that time, and only written about and taught when it was revealed to Paul.

Must I Audibly Confess "Jesus Is Lord" To Be Saved?

What About Romans 10:9-10? Must I Audibly Confess "Jesus Is Lord" To Be Saved?

I have had this question asked to me many times within my circle of influence, indicating that there is a lot of misunderstanding around what the 'confession of Jesus with the mouth' means. The key to understanding this passage is to read it in context and to know who the target audience was that Paul was writing to. This article will clarify the context, but as for the target audience, that is easily cleared up by simple going to the first verse in this tenth chapter of Romans. It reads the following,

Rom.10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

So, we know that Paul is addressing Jews and that the context will thus be according to their customs and beliefs. 

Shawn provides a much more detailed explanation of this question on his website here, but this excerpt of his article below gives an excellent summary explanation to bring one to a clear understanding of this often misquoted passage.

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible (Part 1B)

Understanding and Interpreting the Bible

(Part 1B --- Recognizing the NECESSITY of dividing the Word)

In Part 1A, I quoted the following below, and said I'd explain the reason for me saying this.

Preachers today go about blindly teaching their denominations to follow and adhere to the parables and practices of Jesus during his 3-years of ministry in the flesh. This is wrong, and it's a false doctrine in the church today. —Now if you are shocked at my statements, I'll explain and qualified them in Part 1B.

 

So, let me validate the above quotation by providing one more set of scriptures to emphasize the need to divide the Word to gain context and correct interpretation.

Rom.16:25-26 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,

2 Cor.5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

In the above two scriptures, there is no reference to Israel, but what we have are references representing doctrine for the Body of Christ and some wording that represents a specific time, and a change in program. As I will continue to prove, by applying scripture divisions, we can get a deeper understanding of the passages and plainly see that there are some valuable and important instructions in here to take account of. Let's analyze these verses by applying right division and extract the proper context from them.