Monthly Archives: September 2014

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Do we study only Paul’s epistles?

Do we study only Paul’s epistles?

DO WE STUDY ONLY PAUL’S EPISTLES?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“If Paul is our apostle [yes, he is; Romans 11:13], does that mean that we study only his epistles, Romans through Philemon? Does that mean that only Paul’s writings are inspired of God? What about the rest of Scripture? Is not all of the Bible God’s Word? Are you telling me that I should study only Paul’s books?”

Sometimes, people who are really seeking to know the truth so they can believe it, will sincerely ask the above questions; they desire spiritual enlightenment, and that is fine. Other times, however, these inquiries can be utilized as “foolish and unlearned questions,” which Scripture says we are to “avoid” because “they do gender strifes” (2 Timothy 2:23). To wit, in an attempt to discredit dispensational Bible study (which threatens denominational systems and religious tradition), and in order to antagonize us dispensational Bible students, some malign us Pauline dispensationalists by claiming that we throw away everything in Scripture but Paul. Actually, someone once wrongly accused me of claiming that only Paul’s epistles were the “true Word of God.” What gobbledygook! What hogwash! What baloney!

It is said that we Pauline dispensationalists study only Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. The assumption is that we do not read anything in Genesis through Malachi, or Matthew through John, or the book of Acts, or Hebrews through Revelation. Yes, some people study only Paul’s epistles, but, no, I am not one of them. Indeed, most of Christendom ignores Paul’s epistles and studies everything else in Scripture, but I am not one of those people either! (No one who knows my ministry could ever truthfully accuse me of studying only Paul’s writings. You can search our ministry websites to see that I teach from non-Pauline Bible books hundreds of times every year.)

Strangely, we have most in Christendom who ignore Paul’s epistles but who study the rest of Scripture, who then hypocritically condemn those who study only Paul. (Both groups are ignoring parts of God’s Word.) To make it even odder, we have a minority who study only Paul, who then hypocritically condemn those who study only the non-Pauline Bible books. (Again, both groups are ignoring parts of God’s Word.) Both groups are wrong because they are not studying all of the Bible. We should study all of the Bible, Genesis through Revelation.

Now, let us see how the people who study only Paul, and the people who ignore Paul, are both wrong. Neither party is in accordance with God’s will. Beloved, we must guard ourselves against both errors if we are to be spiritually mature people, “no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).

THE TWO-FOLD DIVISION IN SCRIPTURE

The very first verse in the Bible clearly demonstrates that Almighty God deals with creation on the basis of two realms: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Notice how the Holy Spirit was very specific in the wording. Rather than saying, “God created the universe,” the Scriptures say, “God created the heaven and the earth.” The two-fold division in God’s Word is already apparent… the very first verse of the Bible introduces us to right division, dispensational Bible study, making divisions in God’s Word that He Himself has made it in.

We learn in Ephesians 1:9-10 about God’s original purpose in the creation of the heaven and the earth: “[9] [God the Father] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” From even before creation, God the Father wanted to unite all of the governmental offices of heaven and earth under the headship, the leadership, of His Son Jesus Christ (see Colossians 1:16-20). In other words, God the Father wants all of creation to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

To achieve this purpose, God has one program (agenda) for heaven, and another completely different program (another agenda) for earth. Both programs function in their respective realms to accomplish His overall goal: to make Jesus Christ head of all of the governments in heaven and on earth, that they all serve Him. But, these programs must be rightly divided if they are to make sense: the goal of dispensational Bible study is to ensure the Bible’s clarity, that it not be confused as Satan desires. To combine the two Bible programs is to confuse heaven with earth, and it is to introduce unanswerable confusion—that explains the doctrinal disorder in Christendom today! “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

PROPHECY. The program that God uses to magnify His Son in the earth is called the prophetic program, for it contains information/doctrine that was prophesied, or spoken about, since He placed man (Adam) on earth. Notice what the Apostle Peter preached: “[Jesus Christ] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). From the beginning of creation, God revealed to mankind a plan to have Jesus Christ reign on planet earth. This information is found in the Bible books of Genesis through Malachi, Matthew through John, Acts chapters 1-8, and Hebrews through Revelation. The agency (group of believers) whom God will use to magnify His Son forever in the earth is the nation Israel (Exodus 19:5-6; Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5; Luke 22:29-30; Revelation 5:10). Law is the operating system for the prophetic program (Matthew 5:17-19). The Apostle Peter and the other 11 apostles of Israel are the divinely-ordained human leaders in the prophetic program (Matthew 16:16-19; Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:30; Galatians 2:7,9).

MYSTERY. The program that God uses to magnify His Son in the heavens is called the mystery program, for it contains information/doctrine that was kept secret, or not spoken about, since He placed man (Adam) on earth. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote: “Now to him [God the Father] 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…” (Romans 16:25-26). From the beginning of creation, God kept secret (kept it a “mystery”) a plan to have Jesus Christ reign in the heavenly places. This information is found in the Bible books known as “Paul’s epistles,” Romans through Philemon. The agency (group of believers) whom God will use to magnify His Son forever in the heavens is the Church the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6-7; Philippians 3:20; 2 Timothy 4:18). Grace is the operating system for the mystery program (Romans 6:14-15). The Apostle Paul is the divinely-ordained human leader in mystery program (Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; Galatians 2:7,9; 1 Timothy 1:15-16).

IF WE IGNORE PAUL’S EPISTLES (AND STUDY ONLY THE OTHER SCRIPTURES)

It is spiritually dangerous to ignore Paul’s epistles and focus only on the rest of the Bible books. Many times, the Apostle Paul is viewed today as a missionary whom the 12 apostles at Jerusalem sent out into the Roman Empire to lead others to Jesus Christ. Paul is seen as nothing more than a “supplement” to Peter and the 11. It is ever so sad that much of Christendom is willfully ignorant of the fact that Paul’s apostleship had nothing to do with Peter and the 11’s apostleships, that Paul’s Gospel message was different from Peter and the 11’s Gospel message, that Paul’s believers were saved into a separate body of believers than Peter and the 11’s “little flock” of Jewish believers, that Paul’s converts had a dissimilar eternal hope than Peter and the 11’s eternal hope. The differences between Paul’s ministry and the 12’s ministry are made very clear in Galatians chapter 2.

If we ignore Paul’s epistles, we have no idea what God is doing today because only Paul’s epistles describe God’s current dealings with mankind (Israel is fallen, salvation is going to the Gentiles through Paul’s ministry, salvation is not found in Israel today but only in the Church the Body of Christ, et cetera—these facts are only found in Paul’s writings). To ignore Paul is to concentrate only on God’s will for the earth; you force yourself to be unaware of God’s will for the heavenly places. The 13 books of the Bible that apply to what God is doing today, describe what God is doing today, are the books of Romans through Philemon. To ignore the writings of Paul is to disregard what the Holy Spirit says to us Gentiles—how the church is to function, what it is to do, what it is to believe, its operating system, its destiny, and so on. Ignoring Paul’s epistles will cause you to see only what God did in time past and what He will do in the future—you will be ignorant of what God wants you to do today!

We read that Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). The resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ sent Paul to us, so if we reject God’s spokesman to us, we reject God Himself! Jesus Christ said in John 13:20: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” The Holy Spirit led Paul to write in 1 Corinthians 14:37: “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” According to the Bible, the test for spirituality today is if someone recognizes Paul’s writings at Jesus Christ’s commandments to us. Verse 38 says, “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” God knows that many, however, will be willfully ignorant of Paul’s epistles, and He instructs us to leave them in that spiritual darkness (their preference).

The Apostle Peter urged his Jewish believers to read Paul’s writings: “[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16). In Peter’s mind, Paul’s epistles should not be ignored (Peter acknowledged that Paul wrote about things that he [Peter] did not understand; this means Paul’s message and Peter’s message were different). According to the Holy Ghost in Peter, Paul’s epistles should be studied—much of what Paul writes about cannot be found elsewhere in Scripture!

IF WE STUDY ONLY PAUL’S EPISTLES (AND IGNORE THE OTHER SCRIPTURES

If we study only Paul’s epistles and ignore the rest of the Bible, we have no idea what God did in time past or what He will do in the ages to come, because Paul’s epistles exclusively describe God’s current dealings with mankind (Israel is fallen, salvation is going to the Gentiles through Paul’s ministry, salvation is not found in Israel today but only in the Church the Body of Christ, et cetera). To ignore the rest of the Bible and study only Paul is to concentrate only on God’s will for the heavens; you force yourself to be ignorant of God’s will for the earth. If we know only Paul’s epistles, we know nothing about the events of creation, about the world prior to and immediately after the Great Flood of Noah’s day, about how God formed and protected the nation Israel through the centuries, Jesus Christ’s virgin birth and His childhood, the details (parables, miracles, sufferings, et cetera) of His earthly ministry, the specifics of His return in great power and glory to reign over Israel and earth in the ages to come, the binding of Satan in the future, the New Heaven and New Earth, et cetera. Paul’s epistles say little to nothing about those topics.

As we saw earlier, the Apostle Peter encouraged his audience to read Paul’s epistles in order for them to learn information that can be found in no other place. By the same token, Paul’s epistles do not repeat every prophetic word of God written beforehand. Other than Romans chapters 9-11, there is almost nothing in Paul’s epistles about God’s plan for the earth and the nation Israel. We must look to the other Bible books—the non-Pauline books—in order to learn about God’s purpose and plan for Israel. Just as Peter told his audience to study Paul’s books, so Paul urged us to study the Old Testament passages he quoted in order for us to get a fuller picture of the doctrine he was communicating (we will see this shortly). By recognizing the parallels in both Israel’s program and ours, we can better understand how they function as one to bring about God’s “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:11)—to eternally glorify Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:9-10). By recognizing the contrasts between both Israel’s program and ours, we can better appreciate their unique identities, how they are separate and distinct, but still able to bring about God’s “eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:11)—to eternally glorify Jesus Christ in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:9-10).

HOW PAUL VIEWED THE NON-PAULINE BIBLE BOOKS

Since the Holy Spirit operated in and through our Apostle Paul—which even the Apostle Peter admitted (2 Peter 3:15-16)—we should agree with the Holy Spirit as He spoke through Paul. What did the Holy Ghost say through Paul’s pen regarding the non-Pauline Bible books? Are the non-Pauline Bible books to be studied or ignored?

Romans 15:3-4 is a passage that clearly answers these questions: “[3] For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. [4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” The Apostle Paul made a direct reference to Psalm 69:7, and then he referred to “whatsoever things [that] were written aforetime were written for our learning.” He was obviously describing the importance of the Old Testament Scriptures, teaching that they could benefit and comfort us.

In fact, we can study the Old Testament quotes found in the New Testament, to better understand the Old Testament Scriptures (or we can use the Old Testament quotes in the New Testament, to better understand the New Testament Scriptures). By doing so, we can see many parallels in both the Old and New Testaments. We can see Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry (His First Coming) and His earthly kingdom (His Second Coming) described throughout the Old Testament in vivid details, centuries and even thousands of years before those events happened, but we can only recognize and appreciate them if the New Testament writings exist to quote and interpret them for us. Additionally, by studying the Old Testament Scriptures, we can learn from Israel’s mistakes (1 Corinthians chapter 10 is a primary example of this)—the schemes and scams that Satan used to successfully attack Israel’s spiritual health are the ones he uses even today to hinder us the Church the Body of Christ!

Romans 15:3-4 says that Paul expected his Gentile converts to be familiar with the Hebrew Bible (what we now call “the Old Testament Scriptures,” the books of Genesis through Malachi). After all, even in those days, Moses and the rest of the Old Testament books (scrolls) had circulated to synagogues throughout the Roman Empire and beyond (see Luke 4:16-21; Acts 13:14-15; Acts 15:21; 2 Corinthians 3:15). Note Paul’s handling of the Old Testament and other non-Pauline Bible books:

  • Paul expected his Gentile converts to be familiar with Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, her rebellion under Moses, and her wilderness wanderings recorded in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Numbers (1 Corinthians chapter 10).
  • He even taught his Gentile believers in Thessalonica, prophecy (such as the Antichrist’s career during the seven-year Tribulation, Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, et cetera)—see 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 (some prophetic events are referenced in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 as well).
  • Paul quoted Old Testament passages in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9 to illustrate how we should give of our resources under grace.
  • The Apostle expected his Gentile converts in Galatia to be familiar with the historical narrative of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, and Isaac as recorded in Genesis, that we understand that law and grace cannot and do not mix—see Galatians chapter 4.
  • Paul also refers to many Old Testament passages—and quotes several—in Romans chapters 9-11, that we may understand Israel’s past, present, and future statuses before JEHOVAH God.
  • The fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians refers to Old Testament verses and concepts to further illuminate/parallel the concept of our bodily resurrection at Jesus Christ’s return for us His Church (the Rapture).
  • Romans chapter 13 makes references to most of the Ten Commandments, even quoting Moses’ words in Exodus and Deuteronomy, how grace living will produce in us the same good works that law-keeping was to produce in Israel (but failed because of sinful flesh).
  • Although previously mentioned, Romans chapter 15 contains nearly a half-dozen direct quotes from the Psalms and the Prophet Isaiah’s book.
  • Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians references Moses and the Law (2 Corinthians chapter 3).
  • You can learn much about how Satan wants to deceive us, by studying Genesis chapter 3, when he deceived Eve, the woman, but not Adam, the man (2 Corinthians 11:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:11-15).
  • Ephesians (5:31) makes reference to the marriage of Adam and Eve, which would only make sense in light of studying Genesis chapter 2.
  • Paul quoted the books of Deuteronomy and Luke in 1 Timothy 5:18.

Thus we see that Paul—yea, the Holy Spirit through Paul—never advocated discarding the non-Pauline Bible books. All 66 books of the Bible are God’s Word, and all should be studied in order to shed light on all of them.

CONCLUSION

Friends, considering the foregoing verses, it is not spiritually safe to ignore Paul’s epistles and it is not spiritually safe to study only Paul’s epistles. We should study all of the Bible from cover to cover—Genesis through Revelation. We should have a grasp of prophecy and mystery, the nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ, law and grace, Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry. To ignore Paul and study everything else in the Bible is to cheat ourselves spiritually. To ignore everything in the Bible but Paul is to rob ourselves spiritually, too. God did not preserve only Paul’s epistles, and God did not preserve only the non-Pauline Bible books—He preserved Genesis through Revelation because He wants us to read all of those 66 books. He wants to give us spiritual stability not only through Paul’s Gospel and Paul’s writings, but also “by the scriptures of the prophets” (Romans 16:25-26)—hence, the New Testament prophets copied not only Paul’s epistles, but all of the scrolls of the Bible’s 66 books.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Holy Spirit wrote all of the Bible, not just Paul’s epistles (2 Samuel 23:2; Matthew 22:31; Acts 1:16; 2 Peter 1:21). All Scripture is written for us, but not all Scripture is written to us or about us. When a Bible passage says that it is speaking to or about the nation Israel, we cannot commit spiritual larceny and insert our names into the verses (we must not steal Israel’s verses). Just as we have part of the Bible written to us, Israel has a portion of the Bible written to her. Just as we would not steal someone’s mail, we should not steal God’s Word to Israel and pretend it was given us. Beloved, we should be honest with God’s Word.

In my ministry, I have never told anyone to study only Paul’s epistles, to throw away every Bible book but Paul’s writings, and I never plan to encourage such nonsense. In my personal Bible reading, I read through the Bible at least once a year, and I daily study Bible passages throughout the canon of Scripture. When I teach the Bible, I never confine myself to Paul’s epistles. However, it should be understood that Paul’s epistles deal directly with God’s current operations with man, and to mostly ignore or completely ignore his books would greatly contribute to Satan’s policy of evil. Let us study all of Scripture, Genesis through Revelation, but let us also remember that Paul is our divinely-ordained apostle! Paul’s writings are the Lord’s commandments to us (1 Corinthians 14:37).

Also see:
» Who is Judas’ replacement—Matthias or Paul?
» Did Peter and Paul preach the same Gospel?
» What is “the Dispensation of Grace?”

BIBLE VERSIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS, Is “Jesus” a mistake in the King James Bible in Hebrews 4:8?

Is “Jesus” a mistake in the King James Bible in Hebrews 4:8?

IS “JESUS” A MISTAKE IN THE KING JAMES BIBLE IN HEBREWS 4:8?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Does our King James Bible contain an error in Hebrews 4:8? Before we naively agree with its critics—and before they pat themselves on the back for their “faithful” Bible proofreading—we need to be Berean Bible students. Just as the Bereans studied the Scriptures to see whether Paul and Silas were telling them the truth (Acts 17:10-11), so we must study the Holy Scriptures. If the Bereans questioned the teachings of the apostles, we today should certainly investigate the claims of the Bible critics!

A professing Christian, who had heeded my advice about using the King James Bible, once had a very interesting Bible question for me, and I was most delighted to answer it for her. In her personal Bible reading, she discovered that her NIV read “Joshua” in Acts 7:45 and Hebrews 4:8, but her King James had “Jesus” in those two verses. She asked me why that was. In this study, I will explain it to you in the same manner I did to her.

Firstly, we will look at the two verses in question: “For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day” (Hebrews 4:8 KJV). “Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;” (Acts 7:45 KJV).

Regarding these two verses, all modern English translations—including the NKJV—have “Joshua” in the place where our beloved King James reads “Jesus.” Critics of our perfect King James Bible use such an instance to further their pro-perversions agenda. In order to make us relinquish our “hard-to-read and obsolete” King James Bible and embrace “fresh, clearer” modern translations, they make every attempt to plant in our minds the thought of our Authorized Version not being inerrant. They admit that although their translations have flaws, they say our King James Bible has flaws and it is “hard to read.” They want us to buy their modern versions because their mistakes are easier-to-read! It is an ingenious sales pitch, but the Scripturally-grounded saint is well aware of their duplicity and Satan’s subtlety.

The King James translators were some of the most brilliant men of their day—linguistics, mathematics, church history, Bible manuscript readings, et cetera. Most of all, they were humble, Holy-Spirit filled, Bible believers—how many modern Bible scholars could we say that about (humble, Holy-Spirit filled, Bible believers)? Originally 54 men, only 47 of our Authorized Version translators lived to see their project from start to finish (1604-1611). The review process was highly intensive, with each verse going through many groups of men and many individuals (one estimate is that each verse was reviewed at least fourteen times by various parties, individual or group). If “Jesus” were a mistake in Hebrews 4:8 and Acts 7:45, surely one of the KJB scholars would have caught it. For this reason, it is highly unlikely that a mistake crept in, and even more improbable that the same mistake occurred twice. The Bible believer’s view is that the Bible is right all the time, no questions asked. So, why did our scholarly 1611 translators render these two verses in such an oft-derided manner? We are convinced that they were aware of a doctrine that the average Christian—or average Bible translator—has no idea about.

Emulating countless others, an arrogant seminary professor—a professing Bible “believer” and “defender” as well!—once wrote a scathing article about so-called “King James Bible errors” (an atheist was thrilled to email that article to me after one of our Bible studies had greatly troubled him!). The wayward professor included Hebrews 4:8 in his list of flaws: he criticized our 1611 translators by arguing that the Greek word they rendered “Jesus” should actually be “Joshua” to fit the context (as you can imagine, the modern Bible publishers were thrilled to receive publicity and backing!).

Beloved, before we grow angry with God’s Word for being right 100 percent of the time, and before we attack the 400-year-old King James Bible, we would do well to let God teach us instead of us “correcting” Him. A quick lesson in anthroponomastics will cause us to appreciate why our King James Bible says “Jesus” not “Joshua” in Hebrews 4:8 (and Acts 7:45); the related anti-KJB remarks will also be manifested as pointless.

“Joshua” is the contracted version of the Hebrew “Jehoshua” (which is pronounced “yahowshuwa”)—Hebrew is the language of most of the Old Testament Scriptures. In Greek, the language of the New Testament, “Joshua” is “Iesous” (ee-ay-sooce), and in English, “Jesus” (meaning “saviour, deliverer;” see Matthew 1:21). Interestingly, “Jehoshua”/“Joshua”/“Iesous”/“Jesus” means “Jehovah-Saviour” (in English, we pronounce “JEHOVAH,” the name of Israel’s God, as “jahovah,” but in Hebrew, it is pronounced “yahovah”).

Hebrews 4:8 and Acts 7:45 most certainly refer to Israel entering the Promised Land under Joshua, Moses’ successor (recorded in the Old Testament book of Joshua). According to Numbers 27:15-23, which see, Moses said Joshua was to be Israel’s “shepherd,” the man to lead Israel into God’s Holy Land to possess it (God would have then established His earthly kingdom). Historically, Israel rebelled against God by following pagan idols, thereby delaying God’s earthly kingdom. Jesus Christ—Israel’s true Shepherd (John 10:1-30) whom Joshua pictured/typified (see Acts 7:45)—will lead God’s people Israel into her Promised Land to establish His earthly kingdom (see Isaiah 35:1-10; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Hebrews 4:1-11).

Basically, our King James translators alerted us in Hebrews 4:8 and Acts 7:45 that Joshua’s leadership represented Jesus Christ’s future headship of Israel. To remove “Jesus” and insert “Joshua” in the text is to sever the cross-reference between Joshua’s actions and Jesus’s actions. Our Authorized Version translators are hereby vindicated, and their critics still puzzled!

Also see:
» Should the King James’ term “Christ” actually be “Lord” in 2 Thessalonians 2:2? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Is “Easter” a mistranslation in the King James Bible in Acts 12:4?
» Do not Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 contradict each other?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, What is “the fellowship of the mystery?”

What is “the fellowship of the mystery?”

WHAT IS “THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

Exactly what is “the fellowship of the mystery” referenced in Ephesians 3:9? Dear friends, as Bible students, we must study the Bible—not commentaries, not religious tradition or church history, and not lexicons—to discover the answer to our question.

The Holy Spirit wrote through Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:9: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” While this verse is often used to teach that our Dispensation of Grace was kept a secret since the world began, it is actually conveying a very special truth regarding a doctrine associated with our dispensation. Verse 6 defines the “fellowship of the mystery:” “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” The word “fellowship” simply means, “a gathering of people with like interest or identity.” The context of Ephesians chapter 3 is actually how God is currently forming the Church the Body of Christ (of believing Jews and believing Gentiles) in this the Dispensation of Grace—see also Ephesians 2:13-22.

It would greatly benefit us if we read Ephesians 3:1-9 here: “[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. [8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; [9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

The “fellowship of the mystery” is the body of believing Jews and Gentiles, the body of believers that is associated with Paul’s secret ministry and message (the Gospel of the Grace that was committed to his trust; verses 6-9). God did not make known the Church the Body of Christ until we come to Paul’s ministry (verse 9). The “one new man” (the Church the Body of Christ, Ephesians 2:15) is the special agency (group, church) God forms using Paul’s ministry. This group of believers is “not known after the flesh”—there is no distinction between Jew or Gentile in the Body of Christ, circumcision or uncircumcision (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)—the Church the Body of Christ does not know Jesus after His earthly ministry. This would be in contrast to things God spoke (of Israel’s program) since the world began (Acts 3:21; cf. Luke 1:70).

When we “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), we do not confuse the nation Israel with the Church the Body of Christ, Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matthew through John) with His heavenly ministry (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon), and prophecy (Israel’s program) with mystery (our program)—compare Romans 16:25-26 and Acts 3:21. Much of Christianity is confused today because they have mixed Israel’s Scriptures with ours, and they have combined two Bible programs that are to be divided. We would have saved ourselves much headache and heartache if we had used God’s Word as He instructed us!!

We read in Galatians 5:6: “ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” And Galatians 6:15: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” The Holy Spirit through Paul wrote these two verses—they are only true today, in the “but now,” but they were not true in “time past” (see Genesis 17:9-14, where physical circumcision was necessary to be in fellowship with the God of the Bible). There is no contradiction in the Bible, just a change in program. It did matter to be a Jew (physically circumcised) in time past, for Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry was to Jews only (Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Romans 15:8). Prior to Paul’s ministry, if one was to be saved and have a relationship with the God of Scripture, he was to believe/trust whatever doctrine He had revealed at that time. If somebody wanted fellowship with the God of the Bible, that individual had to come by way of the nation Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12; cf. Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23). Today, there is the “new creature,” the “one new man,” the Church the Body of Christ made of believing Jews and Gentiles—this is “the fellowship of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:6,9). Today, Israel is fallen, spiritually blinded, temporarily set aside (Romans chapter 11). We approach the God of Scripture without Israel (Romans 11:11-13)—this was the secret that God kept from the Old Testament prophets.

CONCLUSION

Before Paul’s ministry and prior to our Dispensation of Grace, if one was to be saved and have a relationship with the God of the Bible, he was to believe whatever doctrine He had revealed at that time. If somebody wanted fellowship with the God of Scripture, that individual had to come through the nation Israel. However, when God saved Saul of Tarsus and made him the Apostle Paul in Acts chapter 9, He began a new body of believers. In this body—the Church the Body of Christ—there is no difference between Jew or Gentile (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15). It would simply be “a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17), “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15), a new species of mankind. This is “the fellowship of the mystery” referred to in Ephesians 3:9. It is not to be confused with the nation Israel—Israel and the Body of Christ will always remain separate entities.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:7-9 that he was made a minister, an apostle, in order to preach to the Gentiles “the unsearchable [previously kept secret] riches of Christ,” and to “make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery….” The goal of Paul’s ministry was to reveal “unsearchable” (previously-hidden) doctrine—hidden from the Old Testament prophets (compare John 5:39)—and this included having Gentiles see and understand the mystery (secret) agency (group of believers) associated with the Dispensation of Grace.

The “fellowship of the mystery” is the Church the Body of Christ, the secret group of believers that God said nothing about until the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed it first to the Apostle Paul, and to us through his epistles, Romans through Philemon. This agency is separate from the nation Israel and her prophetic program that had been operating prior to Paul. It cannot be stressed enough that the nation Israel has nothing to do with the Church the Body of Christ. Interestingly, with no manuscript evidence, the NIV translators added to God’s Word in Ephesians 3:6, “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel.” Beloved, what a lie! Again, the Church the Body of Christ has nothing to do with Israel (the NIV translators, like most modern bible translators and publishers, have no appreciation for dispensational Bible study).

Please understand that believing Jews individually can be saved today and placed into the Church the Body of Christ (the same way that Gentiles do, by simple faith in Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins; Paul’s Gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; cf. Romans 4:1-8), but God is not dealing with Jews on the national basis like He did prior to Paul, or like He will do in the future after our dispensation ends. Israel is fallen today, enemies of God, Romans chapter 11 says—the Church the Body is neither fallen nor an enemy of God, so they Church the Body of Christ and the nation Israel are two separate groups!

Also see:
» What is “the Dispensation of Grace?”
» What is “Replacement Theology?”
» When did the Church the Body of Christ begin?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Who is “the great cloud of witnesses” of Hebrews 12:1?

Who is “the great cloud of witnesses” of Hebrews 12:1?

WHO IS “THE GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES” OF HEBREWS 12:1?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Does Hebrews 12:1 suggest that our loved ones in heaven are watching us live our lives right now? It is definitely a common view (I used to believe it), but is it a Scriptural view? What would be the Bible’s view; what would be the Bible believer’s position? As Bible students, we are bound to study the Bible about the matter.

It comes as a surprise to many that the Bible can be used to teach just about anything. If you study the cults in professing “Christianity,” they all quote Scripture to some extent, and they even use verses to teach some very strange—and absurd—material! They may quote a few Bible verses here and there, or use a few Bible terms here and there, but they fabricate the rest of their “Christian” doctrine (using extra-biblical books, their imagination, et cetera). What they never do is quote the Scripture in its context; they seize Israel’s verses and apply them to us, they take verses that apply to Jesus Christ and apply them to us, they take verses that apply to the Body of Christ (us) and make them fit with Israel. They “wrest”—yes, wrestle with!—the Scriptures as the Apostle Peter says (2 Peter 3:15-16)!

Beloved, context is critical during Bible study. If you ignore the context of a verse, you will absolutely miss the Bible’s teaching in that verse. The confusion regarding Hebrews 12:1 would never have come about had people stayed with the context instead of quoting that single verse. This is largely because of the chapter break. Still, even if the chapter break causes us to overlook the previous verses, the first word of Hebrews 12:1 shows us that there is more to the concept than what is found in that verse.

Notice Hebrews 12:1-2: “[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The first word of Hebrews 12:1—”wherefore”—points back to Hebrews chapter 11. “Wherefore” means “as a result of which.” Hebrews 12:1 is the result, the conclusion, so we must look to the previous verses to grasp its meaning. Logically, we must look at chapter 11 if we are to understand the opening statements of chapter 12.

Hebrews chapter 11 lists many Old Testament saints: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sara, Joseph, Moses, Israelites who left Egypt, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, the prophets, et cetera. It was to these people of faith that God promised an earthly kingdom, a kingdom that He had promised since He created the world (Matthew 25:34). Had sin not come into creation, God would have come down and dwelt with Adam and Eve some 6,000 years ago. Hebrews 11:39 says, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.” These saints are still waiting to see their kingdom, thousands of years later!

The author of Hebrews encourages believing Jews to endure the adversity and persecution of the future seven-year Tribulation. The “great cloud of witnesses,” not our loved ones watching us from heaven, is actually the saints listed in chapter 11. They testify to God’s faithfulness, that He will see them through all the vicissitudes of life. Believing Jews living during the awful events of the seven-year Tribulation will be reminded of those saints of old who endured persecution and yet God was faithful in delivering them (Hebrews 11:33-38). These Tribulation saints are encouraged to endure those seven years—”the race” of Hebrews 12:1—by following the ensamples of the saints of old (that “great cloud of witnesses” of God’s faithfulness, the importance of relying on Him).

Hebrews 13:5-6 says: “…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews is not written to us members of the Church the Body of Christ, but we are comforted in that just as God will not forsake those Jewish believers enduring the horrible Tribulation, He will not abandon us in Christ (Romans 8:35-39).

God will keep His promise to those saints to bring them through the Tribulation and into their earthly kingdom, so we can be sure He will keep His promises that He made to us in Paul’s epistles! If God will comfort those believing Jews during the worst period of human history, surely, God will comfort us in our Dispensation of Grace, to one day deliver us and usher us into our heavenly kingdom.

Finally, it should be noted that Romans through Philemon, Paul’s epistles, never say that deceased believers in heaven watch us in this the Dispensation of Grace—1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 seems to have been the place to write it, had it been true. Our assumption is that believers in heaven do indeed remember us, and they know we are still here on earth (because they see we are not in heaven with them), but we see no reason why they would need to watch us. Rest assured that they are at peace, and one day we will meet them, to be with them and the Lord Jesus Christ forever. “To be with Christ; which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). For now, we must remember that our earthly ministry must be completed. Let us not lose sight of our Christian ambassadorship. Dear friends, let us be faithful in teaching and preaching God’s Word rightly divided while we still have opportunity!

Interestingly, according to the book of the Revelation, during the seven-year Tribulation, during Israel’s program, martyred Jews in heaven will be aware of their brethren suffering at the hands of the Antichrist down on earth (Revelation 6:9-11).

Also see:
» Do people become angels when they die? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» What are Christians doing in heaven right now? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Is it really true that angels watch us? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)