The apostle Paul guided by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1-13, Galatians 1:11), admonished young Timothy the preacher to "Be diligent to present yourself approved unto God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). This lesson is intended to show us how to "divide" and correctly understand God's word. That this matter is serious may be seen when one reads the consequences of "twisting" the word of God, (even the difficult) teaching. "..and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:15-16). THE THREE DISPENSATIONS OF TIME
Fundamental to one's ability to "rightly divide" the word of truth, is one's knowledge of the overall divisions, or the different dispensations of God's dealings with mankind. Many do not even make sufficient distinction between the Old and New Testaments. The consequences being that what we have, generally in Protestantism, as well as in Roman Catholicism, is a mixture of Judaism and "Christianity" often with some heathenism and traditionalism thrown into the mix. This results in all manner of confusion. Without a common standard to which we may appeal, there is no possibility of men agreeing on what one must believe and do to please God. Even within the "three dispensations" there are many divisions as well. For example, the "pre-flood" and the "post-flood" period within the Patriarchal Age or dispensation. Then within the Mosaical Period there are the "Pre-exile" and the "Post Exile" periods. There are the "United" and "Divided" kingdom periods where a distinction between Israel and Judah is made, one in the Northern part of Palestine the other in the Southern. In the "Gospel Dispensation"
there are divisions which must be recognized such as the "Age of Miracles" as opposed to the
time of "Final Revelation" when the word had been written and confirmed with signs and
wonders following (Mark 16:15-20; Hebrews 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8).
THE PATRIARCHAL PERIOD:
In this, the first dispensation of time, God spoke directly to the Patriarch or the father of each family. This was more of a tribal or family religion given directly to the father from the heavenly Father who became Prophet, Priest, and King, of his tribe or family. Most brethren give this period a span of 2500 years from Adam to the giving of the law of Moses on Mt. Sinai. While this is the period of time between Adam and the giving of the ten commandment law to Moses, the problem with "cutting the Patriarchal period off" at Sinai with the giving of the law is, this does not take into account the fact that God continued to deal with the nations (Gentiles) other than Israel under the Patriarchal system even while dealing in a special way with Israel, which began to be brought into being when God called Abram from the Ur of the Chaldees, and promised that through his seed, the entire world would one day be blessed (Genesis 12:1-4; Galatians 3:16-18).
So far as we know, there was no written law during this period. We later learn from the writings
of Moses and from the book of Job that there were animal offerings made in worship to God and
for sin. Job even offered sacrifices for his family (Job 1:5). The sons of Adam and Eve each
attempted to worship God in offering sacrifices. Abel acted by faith and his worship was
acceptable. His brother Cain did not act by faith and God rejected his offering (Genesis 4:1-4;
Hebrews 11:4). If you wish, you may read of God's direct speaking to these Patriarchs in such
passages as (Genesis 1:28-30) to Adam. (Genesis 6:13-22) to Noah. (Genesis 12:1-4) to Abram
whose name God later changed to Abraham. (Genesis 17:9-11) to Abraham.
THE MOSAICAL AGE:
This period of time is also called the "Jewish Age." There are three names used interchangeably for the nation built from the seed of Abraham. The first man ever called a Hebrew to my knowledge, was Abraham. It means "one from afar." Jacob's name was changed to Israel by God and his descendants were called and to this day are often called "Israelites." The term "Jew" was given from the tribe of Judah, and later became and is today used to refer to all Hebrews, Israelites, Jews.
This dispensation lasted for some 1500 years or from the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai until the death of Christ on Calvary which ended it provisionally at least. It was literally ended fifty days later when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles of Christ endowing them with supernatural powers which was used to usher men and women into the kingdom of Christ, His church on Pentecost day (Colossians 2:14; Luke 24:44-49; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; 22-38, 40-41, 47).
This great age began with the death of Christ on the cross and will continue until the end of time.
This period is referred to as the "last days" for there will be no other dispensation set into place
on this earth (Acts 2:17; Hebrews 1:1-2; Matthew 28:18-20). The Protestant idea of this being
the so called "church age" with yet another "age" to come which they call "The Kingdom
Age" where Christ is supposed to return to the earth after a seven year tribulation period to do
what He intended on His first advent, set up His kingdom, dethrones the Christ and makes of Him
only a "crown prince" now awaiting His coronation as King! So much is wrong with the
Premillennial literal 1000 year reign that a book could be written showing its many fallacies. As
already stated above, "Jesus is now King Jesus!" He is now on David's throne. So said the
inspired apostle Peter on the birthday of Christ's church (Acts 2:22-36). Peter later wrote that He
is at the "right hand of God exalted.."(1 Peter 3:22). Right hand suggest position of power and
authority. Stephen looked into heaven and saw Jesus "standing at the right hand of God" (Acts
7:56). Paul informs us that when Christ returns, it will be to "deliver the kingdom" to the Father
and not to "set it up" (1 Corinthians 15:23-24). Paul wrote of himself and others as being "in the
kingdom" (Colossians 1:13-14) and connected the blood of Jesus with His kingdom just as it is
associated with His church (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25). Not only so, but when Jesus said "I
will build My church, he said to Peter that He would give him the "keys to the kingdom"
(Matthew 16:13-19). Peter used those "keys" on Pentecost day as well as at the house of the
first Gentile converts (Acts 2:22-38, 41,47; Acts 10:1-4; 47,48; Acts 11;14-15). Christ placed
His table (communion) in His kingdom (Luke 22:14-19; Matthew 26:26-28). Later we read of
the early disciples continuing in the "apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). The "breaking of bread" here is no doubt the Lord's Supper. Later in
the church of God at Corinth, the apostle Paul instructs the brethren how to properly observe this
memorial supper in the local assembly (1 Corinthians 11:23-29). Their common "breaking of
bread" or eating regular meals was something to be done in their houses, said Paul. At Troas, Paul
and his companions waited for the "first day to arrive" so that when the disciples "came
together on the first day of the week to break bread" they could participate as well. Paul used this
occasion to preach also (Acts 20:6-7). If the kingdom hasn't come, then there is no "New
Birth," for folks are born into the kingdom of the water and of the Spirit (John 3:3-5). If the
kingdom hasn't come and is yet to be set up in the future, none should ever partake of the
Lord's Supper in our dispensation! Yet Jesus commanded that this memorial be observed in a
passage already given. The fact is the church and the kingdom are one and the same entity or
relationship. Christ is head of His church and king of His kingdom (Hebrews 12:22-28; Matthew
16:18-19). Christ said "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). The church of Christ
is not an after thought or some kind of a stop-gap measure to which God was forced because of
the Jews' rejection of His Messiah. No, no! Christ came to die for the sins of the world it was not
an accident! He was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8; John
10:1-17). The blood of Jesus purchased His church, His kingdom. The church was planned from
eternity (Ephesians 3:8-11). It was when Christ returned to the Father's right hand that He was
crowned as king of His kingdom and head of His church (Psalm 24:7-10; Acts 2:33-36). When
Christ returns, it will be in the clouds as He went away. Paul says the dead will be raised the
living changed, and "together" they shall rise to "meet the Lord in the air..."(1 Corinthians 15:1-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10).
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TODAY
Our law today is not the Old Testament law-either Patriarchal or Mosaical. We are to submit to Christ's authority and His law is found in His last will and Testament, the New Testament, the Gospel of Christ. Following are a few witnesses to the truthfulness of my statements:
"Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, all authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). "..He is the head of the body, the church, that in all things He might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18). "For Moses said to the fathers, The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like Me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatsoever He says to you. And it shall come be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:22-23).
The New Testament books of Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews argue extensively for the doing away with the Old Testament as man's rule of faith or religious authority for today. So does an entire chapter in the Corinthians letter (2 Corinthians 3:1-17). The Hebrew writer said, "For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law" (Hebrews 7:12). Christ could not be a priest on earth He was from the tribe of Judah not Levi. He is High Priest now in heaven where he ever lives and makes intercession for His people the church (1 Timothy 2:5--6; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:22-28). Every Christian is a priest today (1 Peter 2:5, 9).
The scene on the "mount of transfiguration" should forever settle the idea of whose authority we are to be under in our "Gospel Dispensation." It is plain when one reads this account from (Matthew 17:1-5), that we are to "hear Christ" today! The Father said so! The Father has given all judgment to the Son and says that we are to "honor the Son even as (in like manner) we honor the Father" (John 5:22-23). Those who fail to honor the Son do not honor the Father!
Paul said the gospel is "God's power unto salvation" and "therein is the righteousness of God
revealed.." The means by which God makes men righteous through the terms of the gospel by
forgiveness in the blood of Jesus is what's under consideration. Some would by-pass this in their
attempts to become righteous by their own systems. Of such Paul also wrote in (Romans 10:1-4) "..going about to establish their own righteousness, they had not submitted unto the
righteousness of God. It is only by the untainted gospel system centered in Christ and in His blood
bought church or kingdom that men are made righteous and that by forgiveness, not by our
meritorious works of which we could boast (Ephesians 2:8-10; 13-16). See (Romans 16:17; 1
Peter 1:22-25; Acts 2:22-38, 40-41; Galatians 3:26-29). See also (Galatians 1:6-9).
"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer
but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25). "So speak and so
do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty" (James 2:12). The creeds of uninspired
men, the Old Testament law of Moses, nor the traditions of men are the standards by which our
spiritual lives are to be ordered; nor are they the standard that will be present come judgement day
to which our lives will be compared (Revelation 20:12-15; Romans 2:6-11; 2 Corinthians
5:10-11; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 6:17). How utterly foolish to be guided by standards
which God will not accept. Some will denigrate the Bible while exalting their own creeds and
traditions as if somehow by being faithful to them, and by doing good things for their fellow man,
they can put God in their debt and stand pleasing to Him. Jesus clearly denies this to be so
come judgment. To such as have not bowed to His authority, He Himself will be forced to say
"..I never knew you, depart from Me you who work iniquity (Matthew 7:13-29)! In this same
context Jesus said that only those who do My Father's will shall enter into the kingdom, His
church (Matthew 7:21).
SOME CASES OF CONVERSION TO CHRIST
JEWS ON PENTECOST: (Acts 2:22-38, 40-41, 47).
SOME AT SAMARIA: (Acts 8:12-13).
AN ETHIOPIAN: (Acts 8:36-39).
SAUL OF TARSUS: (Acts 9:1-6; 22:16).
CORNELIUS: (Acts 10:1-2, 43,47-48).
LYDIA: (Acts 16:14).
PHILIPPIAN Jailer: (Acts 16:30-33).
Other important passages: (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6;
Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:9-10; Galatians 3:26-29;
Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:44-49). Not all truth is learned from one
passage, nor from one case. All must be considered and harmonized to have the whole
story. The logical steps in being saved are Hear-Believe-Repent-Confess Jesus as the Christ
and be immersed for forgiveness of sins.