Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 3 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 3 of 5)

The Witness of the Scriptures

"...But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God..." — Romans 16:26a

The Doctrine: Scriptural Confirmation

Paul now adds another layer to the unveiling of the mystery: its manifestation is not only by divine decree but also "by the scriptures of the prophets" (Romans 16:26). This phrase emphasizes that the revelation of the mystery is consistent with, and confirmed by, the prophetic writings of Scripture. The doctrine here is one of Scriptural Harmony—the truth that the mystery, though hidden in God, does not contradict the prophetic record but stands in perfect alignment with it. The everlasting God commands its revelation, and the Scriptures bear witness to its validity (Romans 1:2–3; Acts 10:43).

Extracting the Truth in Context

The phrase "but now is made manifest" continues the dispensational contrast Paul has been drawing (Colossians 1:26–27). What was once hidden is now revealed, and this revelation is not detached from the written Word. The "scriptures of the prophets" serve as a validating witness, showing that the mystery fits within the broader framework of God’s eternal plan. Importantly, Paul is not saying the prophets themselves understood or foretold the mystery (Ephesians 3:4–5); rather, the revealed mystery now sheds light on the prophetic writings, demonstrating their coherence with God’s eternal purpose. In context, this means that the believer’s stability (Romans 16:25) and understanding of the mystery (Romans 16:25b) are reinforced by the authority of Scripture, which stands as a divine testimony to the manifestation of God’s plan.

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 1 of 5)

Unveiling the Mystery of the Gospel (Part 1 of 5)

The Power that Establishes the Believer

"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ..." — Romans 16:25a

The Doctrine: Divine Establishment

In the closing of his letter to the Romans, Paul shifts from the logic of justification to a final declaration of God’s sovereignty. The Greek word for "stablish" (sterizo) means to fix something so firmly in place that it becomes immovable. Within the context of this entire letter, Paul is teaching that spiritual stability is a work of God, not an achievement of man. After sixteen chapters of explaining the depth of human sin and the riches of God's grace, Paul concludes that the only way a believer can remain firm in the "obedience of faith" is through the external power of God.

Extracting the Truth in Context

This "stablishing" does not happen in a vacuum. Note the specific boundaries Paul sets: "according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ." God does not stabilize us through vague spirituality or emotional experiences; He uses the objective truth of the Gospel. This is the same power Paul referenced in Romans 1:16—"for it is the power of God unto salvation." Furthermore, to be stablished, one must be anchored in the "preaching of Jesus Christ." This isn't just preaching about Him; it is the proclamation that He is the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan. In context, Paul is asserting that your stability is directly tied to your understanding of the Gospel he has just spent sixteen chapters explaining. If you are not grounded in the doctrine of Christ, you cannot be "stablished."

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1- Intro)

Understanding the Process of Salvation in Romans (Part 1)

A while back, after a bible study session, a friend of mine asked me to teach a series of lessons on, “the process of salvation”. We had just finished a series of teachings dealing with the judgement seat of Christ, so I thought the request was a bit surprising, since he was an established Christian, but I have also never hesitated or questioned this topic, as I believe that there can be no more important subject and information than to know salvation, and to know what it means, and to know what happens to one in the process of receiving it and growing in it.

Thus, this post, and a few subsequent ones, will be digging into the topic, from the epistle of Romans, and seeking out to understand its truth and effects on the human heart and mind. Now, before you all think this is a basic topic concerning the cross of Christ, which every Christian thinks they know, I want to inform you ‘off the bat’ that this topic is far deeper than the average Christian realizes. Salvation is a VERY broad term and involves a LOT more than what Christians know. Romans may be the foundational epistle in the curriculum of Paul's 9-church epistles, but foundational does not mean the information stops at being basic. Romans contains the words of God, and we all know that God is infinitely wise. There are depths to this topic that continually surface as one studies it more and more.

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

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.