Rightly dividing is not a doctrine, nor is it an identify, it’s an inevitable conclusion.

Rightly dividing is not a doctrine, nor is it an identify, it’s an inevitable conclusion.

People who hold to a dispensational view of the Bible often justify their view by quoting the following verse …

2Tim 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

… and they focus almost exclusively on the part of the verse that instructs one to rightly divide the Word of truth.

Now, although there is nothing wrong with that, since right division is of crucial importance to understand the Bible in the correct context, I do want to point out something that is often overlooked in the verse above, which is in fact the primary key to this whole concept of rightly dividing.

Why did Cornelius receive the Holy Spirit before Water Baptism?

QUESTION:

Explain how Cornelius and the Gentiles had received the remission of sins by believing in Him as Peter said and received the Holy Ghost BEFORE water baptism.

I still say Peter did not preach another gospel as that gospel of the kingdom is the same gospel of grace as the gospel of the kingdom was never going to happen until after His death, resurrection and ascension as Jesus said to Nicodemus and again in John 6th chapter.

REPLY:

There are many types and shadows in the Bible. The life of Joseph has about 40 similarities to the life of Jesus. Abraham’s almost sacrifice of Isaac was a shadow of the crucifixion, etc, etc. God confirms His Word with events or happenings that depict Christ or that announces his will.

Before I get to Cornelius, consider what happened in the beginning of Paul’s ministry to herald the blinding of the Jews and a new dispensation of grace to the Gentiles without the need for Israel. Read Acts 13:6-12 and consider the blinding of Barjesus (who represented Israel, being blinded for a season).

Justification assures glorification

Justification assures glorification

The gospel of grace and its resulting salvation is a gift that God freely provides to the one who believes in the cross work of Jesus Christ; that by His death we are forgiven and by His resurrection we are justified.

Paul provides us assurance of this perfect work to save us and bring us to peace and atonement with God. However, Paul continues to provide more details of this incredible gift of salvation. Read the two verses and let me elaborate on them,

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God’s salvific work does not stop at our justification. The cross work of Jesus Christ was so complete and effectual that if utterly guarantees glorification to the one who believes in Christ. Did you get that? I’m going to say it again as it is worth reading again and its worth remembering that these are the inspired and assured words of God! “The cross work of Jesus Christ was so complete and effectual that to the one who believes in Christ it utterly guarantees their glorification.”

The price of ignorance and the glory of knowledge in the word of God.

The price of ignorance and the glory of knowledge in the word of God.

What is the biggest hindrance to spiritual growth and maturity? Unbelief? No! It's ignorance of the word of God.

Rom 10:3  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.

Eph 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

The bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So, you don't have to hear the word of God to be in unbelief, you just have to not hear it. The root of unbelief is ignorance of the word. Paul said, "I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." Ignorance fosters unbelief.

His winnowing fork is in his hand

The following is in response to a post that informs that the grace gospel, concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the ONLY means of salvation today.

RESPONSE:

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus is the very one who will baptize everyone with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who will TRANSFORM everyone.

His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. (Gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire means people will go to hell unless people are baptized by the Holy Spirit and TRANSFORM into a new being.)

ANSWER:

The response you provide above concerns the day of judgement when Jesus comes back at the end of the Tribulation. Please note that it has nothing to do with the gospel, or salvation.

DM#27: The faith of Christ

Doctrine of the Mysteries #27

The faith of Christ

Paul writes the following in Romans 5 concerning the redeeming work that Christ has secured for those who believe in Him,

Rom 5:18-21  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  (19)  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  (20)  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:  (21)  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

The above verses are just a few in Paul’s writings that confirm the cross work of Christ on behalf of those who believe. This work of Christ provides God, a righteous and just judge, with the ability to justify ungodly men. Who has heard such a thing? Not ever the courts under the wisdom and justice of men justify the ungodly. Paul continues to write,