The Big Picture: dispensational truths

Showing posts with label dispensational truths. Show all posts

Clear evidence that Romans to Philemon is our doctrine today

Paul’s teachings in the Bible present a radical departure from the Jewish doctrine, emphasizing a new dispensation of grace rather than the Mosaic Law. His statement in 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 makes it clear that circumcision—once a requirement under the Old Covenant—is no longer significant under his gospel. Let me illustrate what I mean using the following scripture as example:

1Co 7:18-19 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. [19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 is a powerful indication that his teachings were distinct from the Jewish law. Under the Mosaic Covenant, circumcision was a non-negotiable requirement for Jewish males. It was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Genesis 17:10-14), and failure to comply meant being cut off from the people and blessings of Israel. However, Paul boldly declares that circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, shifting the focus to keeping the commandments of God—but what commandments is he referring to?

Understanding the Gap: The Mystery Period in God’s Plan

Throughout history, biblical prophecy has painted a clear picture of God’s plan for Israel. From the coming of the Messiah to the promised kingdom, prophecy repeatedly highlighted the sequence of events that were expected to unfold. However, what was never foreseen or mentioned by the prophets was an intervening period—a hidden mystery revealed only through the Apostle Paul. This period, often referred to as the "gap," marks a unique dispensation in which the body of Christ operates under grace, distinct from Israel’s prophetic timeline.

The Gap: A Mystery Kept Secret

One of the most remarkable aspects of the gap period is its complete absence from Old Testament prophecy. If one studies scripture from Adam through the life of Jesus and even into the early chapters of Acts, there is no mention of this time period. The prophetic writings consistently detail Israel’s future, outlining the coming of their Messiah, a time of tribulation, and the eventual establishment of the millennial kingdom.

Had Israel accepted their Messiah, Jesus would have returned, the tribulation would have taken place, and the kingdom would have been established as prophesied (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 9:26). In such a scenario, the grace period—the gap—would never have existed. Yet, because Israel rejected their Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy was delayed (John 1:11; Luke 19:14). Because of Israel’s unbelief, God ushered in a completely unforeseen era: the mystery period, during which the body of Christ operates under grace (Romans 11:11; Acts 13:46). This grace dispensation was never revealed in prophecy but was kept secret by God (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:3-5; Colossians 1:25-26). In this new dispensation, salvation was extended to the Gentiles apart from Israel’s prophetic program (Romans 11:25; Colossians 1:26).

Rightly Divide to Understand Salvation in the Grace vs. the Kingdom Programs

Introduction: A Common Misunderstanding About Salvation

In discussions about salvation, many well-meaning Christians, who do not rightly divide the word of truth, fall into the trap of mixing different biblical instructions intended for distinct audiences and periods. This misunderstanding often stems from combining teachings from Jesus’ earthly ministry with those found in the Apostle Paul’s epistles, which outline the gospel for the present dispensation of grace. Here is a summary of this prevalent but doctrinally inconsistent viewpoint:

Confession for Salvation: Based on Matthew 10:32 and Luke 12:8, it is argued that public confession is required for salvation, along with faith.
Repentance from Sin: Verses like Luke 5:32 and Luke 24:47 are used to emphasize that turning away from sin (repentance) is a prerequisite for salvation.
Water Baptism: Passages such as Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38 are interpreted to mean that water baptism is necessary for the remission of sins and salvation.
Endurance for Salvation: Matthew 24:13 is cited to suggest that believers must endure until the end of their lives to secure salvation.
Peter’s Message at Pentecost: Acts 2:38 is taken as universal guidance for salvation, combining repentance and baptism for the remission of sins.

While this view appears comprehensive, it mistakenly blends requirements from Israel’s kingdom program under the Old Covenant with the grace program revealed through Paul. Sadly, these misunderstandings place undue burdens on believers and obscures the simple, liberating truth of salvation by grace through faith alone. With this overview established, let us analyse these points to uncover what is doctrinally wrong, why these interpretations are inconsistent with the current dispensation, and what the correct biblical teaching is. Rightly dividing the word of truth brings clarity, freedom, and a deeper understanding of God’s plan.

Questions and Answers concerning Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Social media response to a post of mine

The person responded to me with the following: “I still have some doubts with the whole concept of rightly dividing God’s word and seeing two programs between Israel and the church. What are your views on the following issues that still bug me. TX.”

Below, as per the bulleted item are their questions (issues), followed by my responses.

Israel had a unique role in history, under the Law, covenants, and prophecy. But when Jesus came, something massive shifted. Paul talks about it in Ephesians 2:14-16—how Jesus broke down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles and made them one new humanity. If Israel and the Church were meant to stay in completely separate lanes, why would Paul describe them as one people in Christ?

The unification that Paul is referring to here is not concerning the two programs (ie: Israel under law and prophecy and the Body of Christ under grace and mystery) but rather, the unification of Jew and Gentile into the Body of Christ after Israel’s program was suspended. Remember, God has blinded Israel due to unbelief, but they are not forsaken or lost. Their program is suspended for a later time when it will be reactivated after the Body of Christ is snatched up to heaven. When the tribulation starts, the prophetic program of Israel is reactivated, and Israel will once again come into God’s focus in order to complete it. But, while their program is suspended, Jews (Israelites) and Gentiles are treated the same. Jews are no longer preeminent as God’s chosen nation. It is no longer Jews first and then the Gentiles. Paul says, “Gal_3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (see also 1Cor.12:13; Col.3:11). This is that middle wall of partition that is broken down. That pre-eminence of Israel is broken down and both Jew and Gentile are on the same level because of the cross. At this point, both Jew and Gentile are saved and added into the Body of Christ through the grace gospel until this body is taken up to heaven to end the dispensation of grace. So, Paul describes Jew and Gentile as being made one within the Body of Christ while God is forming this Body in the grace dispensation. It is not thus a unification of the two distinct and separate programs.

Correcting a common misunderstanding of water baptism

I'd just like to clarify that when I post these sorts of posts, it's because I believe they can be a good source of instruction and correction. Paul tells us that the Word of God, rightly divided (2Tim.2:15), is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, 2Tim.3:16-17. So, in this regard, when someone posts something that does not agree with a rightly divided context, I take the opportunity presented and use it for teaching purposes. God bless.

Social Media Response:

Nobody has ever explained the difference between old Covenant and New Covenant teaching. The things that were required under the old Covenant include tithing and obeying the law and making sacrifices for your sins. Under the New Covenant all is required to be saved is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2: 8-9, Titus 3:5 - once you have been redeemed and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you need to walk in the spirit, in order to understand what that means read Galatians 5:19 - 25. Baptism in water is included because of the Great commission when Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the good news of the Gospel, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If you have not been baptized, you are still saved and still a believer but, because Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize, then we need to be also to follow the Lord's example, BUT JUST REMEMBER THAT BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE YOU. Read also: Romans 10:9–10.

My Reply:

I am in agreement until the word "baptism". Let me clarify that baptism is also part of the Jewish covenant program which (like tithing) is not to be carried over into our current grace program. Baptism originated under the Mosaic instructions concerning the washings of the Levitical priesthood. Since all of Israel is a kingdom of priests (Ex.19:6;1 Pet.2:9), the purpose of baptism (priestly washing) is applicable to all Jews under their covenant program if they are to enter the Kingdom.

As for the grace program of the Body of Christ, we have only one baptism, and it has nothing to do with water. It is the Holy Spirit who baptises us into the Body of Christ in the instant that a person believes the grace gospel and is saved, Eph.4:5.

It is important to rightly divide the Word of truth and not mix, blend together, the covenant program of the Kingdom with the Grace program of the Body of Christ. Mixing together these programs produces a confusing and contradictory doctrine.

Understanding the Context of our Dispensation and Hebrews (Video)

This video is a snipping of the first 15-min of the source video from Paul Lucas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxejSngx1aU

The reason for posting this short clip is because what Paul talks about in the first 15-min informs one very nicely of the context of our dispensation in relation to God's full redemption plan, including that of Israel. I wanted to bring to your attention why it is so important that we learn to rightly divide the word of truth, in order to understand and interpret the Bible correctly and in context.

I also encourage you to click on the link below and watch the entire video for a more detailed insight into the book of Hebrews, and how we should be interpreting this book in the context of Israel's program.

Interpreting the Bible is of critical importance to grow up in our faith and in the knowledge of God and His redemption plan. The Word of God needs to be correctly understood, in a dispensational context, rightly dividing between grace and mystery and law and prophecy, 2Tim.2:15.

Source video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx6HVVUulnA

Does God still speak today?

I post these social media interactions because they are a great source of Q&A. It also helps arm us believers with how unbelievers, or even uneducated babes in Christ, think or reason out spiritual matters.

SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION:

Tell me this…how come God no longer speaks to man and no longer manifest himself. I know many claims God speaks or have spoken to them but realistically the person speaking is your inner thoughts. It’s always humans making claims for God not God himself. You’d think an all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present god would make his presence known to the world and not in visions and dreams of charlatans. The world is in crises all over. He is needed more than ever. Where is Christ in all of crises?

MY REPLY:

The bible tells us why. I’ll explain it in summary. It all has to do with a God’s overall plan to restore heaven and earth to its former glory under Christ.

A conversation with a non-Dispensationalist, initiated by this post which asked if Paul taught about fasting. I post it here because I believe it contains valuable information for people who are learning to study the Word and who are seeing the need to rightly dividing the scriptures.

REACTION:

This is part of the problem with Dispensationalism — we have the clear teaching from Jesus Himself that fasting is an essential part of spiritual life (not to mention unambiguous historical records of periodic fasting being normative going back to the very earliest days of Christianity), and then Dispensationalists come up with excuses to disregard it all.

RESPONSE:

My post does not forbode fasting. It simply informs that it is not an obligation, nor a necessity, nor a means, under grace.

We have the clear teaching from Jesus Himself that fasting is an essential part of spiritual life

The following is a reactional comment from this post concerning fasting, and if it is observed in the grace dispensation.

STATEMENT:

This is part of the problem with Dispensationalism — we have the clear teaching from Jesus Himself that fasting is an essential part of spiritual life (not to mention unambiguous historical records of periodic fasting being normative going back to the very earliest days of Christianity), and then Dispensationalists come up with excuses to disregard it all.

REPLY:

My post does not forbode fasting. It simply informs that it is not an obligation, nor a necessity, nor a means, under grace.

Benching dispensationalism, I do want to bring attention to how you suggest that what Jesus taught applies to us. It is important to know that the Bible tells us clearly that Jesus taught under the law (Gal.4:4; Rom.15:8) and that his earthly ministry and teachings were addressed to Jews only (Matt.10:5-6; Matt.15:24). When Jesus called men to follow him, it was a call for Jews to follow his example and pattern of living. It was an example of living under the kingdom he was about to set up (Matt.4:17). This is not the example we follow today because we do not belong to that earthly kingdom. We belong to the heavenly kingdom (Eph.2:6; 2Tm.4:18), a different part of God’s whole redemption plan (Eph.1:10; Col.1:20).

What is the role of good works in salvation according to the New Testament?

This is a great question! There are many who are so confused regarding good works and salvation in the New Testament. Let’s get into the Bible and find out exactly how good works and salvation should work together.

We must first start by recognizing that there are two dispensations in the New Testament. Simply read the book of Acts, where the apostle Luke leads us out of the Kingdom dispensation under Jesus and the 12-apostles and into the grace dispensation under the apostle Paul. I mention this because it is vitally important to understand that salvation and the context of good works both change between the two dispensations.

GOOD WORKS IN THE KINGDOM DISPENSATION

In the Kingdom program, good works were necessary to prove one’s faith for salvation. Read James 2:17-26 to get an understanding that salvation depended upon the works that demonstrated one’s faith confession in the identity of Christ. Salvation began with a confession of Christ as in these examples,

Various questions concerning the difference between the ministries and doctrine of Peter and Paul (Part 2)

See Part 1 here

Question #1

In regard to Matthew 25:31–46, you assign that as before the 1000-year reign starts, but what about at the end of the 1000-year reign when for a small season, the devil will be released from the pit for a last rebellion? You do not think that reference may apply to that time as that would be when the Great White Throne Judgment is at when all the dead are raised up and judged by their works.

Matthew 25 does not reference the time that Jesus refers to as the Sheep and Goats judgement. This judgement is specifically enforced to determine which Gentiles will enter the Millennial kingdom. Without this judgement, no Gentiles will exist in the kingdom, which does not line up with prophecy which tells that the Jews will be the preeminent nation in the kingdom and that the Gentile nations will seek the counsel of the Jews and abide by the law administered by the Jews as the kings and priests in the kingdom.

As you rightly identify, the release of Satan will deceive many at the end of the Millennial reign and both Satan and those deceived will be quickly ended when God sends down fire from heaven. Both Satan’s captivity in the pit, and the Sheep and Goats judgement occur before the beginning of the 1000-years.

Various questions concerning the difference between the ministries and doctrine of Peter and Paul (Part 1)

Question #1

So, is Peter & the 11 were really preaching an earthly kingdom when Jesus wasn’t here?

The statement Jesus used in Lk.17:20 in answering the Pharisees is that the kingdom of God was ‘within’ Israel, or ‘amongst’ them at that moment. To those who could discern it, the King was there in their midst. At this time, during Jesus earthly ministry, the kingdom would not come in a physical way, as it would come at His second coming, and demand the attention of the world. The first advent of Jesus was not yet to physically save Israel, but rather to prophetically announce and prepare Israel for the imminency of the Kingdom and ratify the New Covenant. It was a work of faith.

After Jesus ascended, the early Acts church continued the work that Jesus started; to preach and prepare Israel for the imminency of their Kingdom. The physical kingdom had not yet arrived, but they were fully expecting it when Jesus came back. See Acts 1:6.

Question #2

Below in regard to Matthew 25:34 in context, this reads like the event of the Great white Throne Judgment, because of verse 40 in relation to verse 31.

Matthew 25:31-46 is not the Great White throne judgement. This White throne judgement occurs after the 1000-year (Millennial) Kingdom of Christs rule. The judgement in Matt.25 is the “Sheep and Goats” judgement which is upon the Gentiles at the end of the 7-year Tribulation. After Jesus has destroyed the armies of the Antichrist in Armageddon, this judgement occurs to determine who of the Gentiles will enter the Millennial Kingdom. This Gentiles who supported Israel (Jews) during the tribulation would find justification to enter the Kingdom. Conversely, those Gentiles who did not support Israel in the tribulation would be cast into the fire. The description of support for Israel that Jesus uses in this passage is clear.

How do I know if a Bible verse or passage applies to me today?

QUESTION:

Is 1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ trans-dispensational?

ANSWER:

Before we evaluate the requested passage, let me first explain the term ‘trans-dispensational” and then provide a few examples of verses that are trans-dispensational and compare them with others that are not. I aim to provide some insights into how we can determine one from the other.

The term "trans-dispensational" refers to a concept that transcends the different dispensations, or periods of time, throughout bible history. Dispensationalism is a framework for interpreting the Bible that sees God's work and purpose as being carried out in different ways during different ages. A trans-dispensational verse, therefore, would be one that holds true and is applicable across all these dispensations, reflecting a principle or truth that is consistent throughout the entirety of Scripture, regardless of the specific time period or dispensation it addresses.

With this understanding, let’s now have a look at some verse examples and see if we can pick up some trends or insights into how to identify trans-dispensational verses from those that are not.

Chosen before the foundation of the world

QUESTION:

Did God have a redemption plan for us through the body of Christ from the creation of the world?

ANSWER:

I like your question, and I can go one better in my reply!! Yes, God had a redemption plan for us, as the Body of Christ, but it was not planned from the creation of the world, or since the world began, but rather, it was ordained BEFORE the world began.

Naturally, God’s entire redemption plan was determined long before the world was made. God knows the end from the beginning as we read in Isaiah 46:10. However, it is interesting how we can distinguish the redemption of the Body of Christ from other dispensations based on the context of timing and on what was prophesied versus what was kept secret.

Is our gospel the same as that which Jesus and the 12-Apostles taught?

COMMENT (in response to an article teaching that there is more than one gospel):

Readers, please take a few minutes to read Galatians 1:6-12. It plainly says that there is one Gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Any time more than one Gospel is taught in scripture or by any teacher, by Biblical teachings, it is a different or false interpretation of scripture. Please read Acts 8:36-38, and Acts10:44-47. These Scriptures clearly say Gentiles are being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit, and there are many more scriptures that describe the same things. Finally read Matthew 28:19-20 The Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Gentiles) baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are commanded to reprove our teachers by what the scriptures actually say to be certain of the truth of our true Teacher, the Holy Spirit.