Category Archives: DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Who are those “afar off” in Acts 2:39?, Who are those “afar off” in Acts 2:39?

Who are those “afar off” in Acts 2:39?

WHO ARE THOSE “AFAR OFF” IN ACTS 2:39?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Are we Gentiles included in Peter’s famous Pentecostal sermon of Acts chapter 2? Some say we are. But, as Bereans, we ask, “For what saith the Scriptures?”

Religious people are always looking for clever ways to hang on to Pentecost. They ignore all the verses that prove that Acts chapter 2 does not refer to us the Church the Body of Christ. Pentecost is constantly on their minds. To lose it is to lose their traditional Bible viewpoint. They will lose their denominations, offend their egos, lose their salaries, and lose all their members. That is the honest truth, friend.

Despite the fact that Peter said three times as the Holy Spirit gave him utterance (verse 4), “Ye men of Judaea… Ye men of Israel… Let all the house of Israel know assuredly…” (verses 14,22,36), people today still want to say that he was preaching to us Gentiles as well. They use Acts 2:39. Verses 38 and 39: “[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

An evangelist and Bible teacher of old wrote the following lengthy paragraph about Acts 2:38-39:

“Here Peter in the preceding verse declares exactly what the promise is to which he refers. He says: ‘Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.’ The promise, then, is the promise of the ‘gift of’ or ‘the baptism with the Holy Spirit.’ … Let us then read the verse in the light of this settled fact: ‘for to you is the promise,’ that is, to the people whom he was addressing, who were for the most part Jews, thus far there is nothing in it for you or me for we were not there, and we are not the Jews. But Peter did not stop there: ‘and to your children,’ that is to the next generation of Jews, or, if you will, to all coming generations of Jews, and that does not take many of us in. But, thank God, Peter did not stop there, but added: ‘and to all that are afar off.’ That does take us in, for we are the Gentiles who were ‘once afar off, But are now made nigh by the blood of Christ’ (Ephesians 2:13). But lest there be any doubt about it, Peter does not stop even there but adds: ‘even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto Him’ (r.v.); that is the call not merely to service, but the call to salvation. We are thus here told in plain words, the meaning of which is unmistakable, that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is for every child of God, in every age of the Church’s history. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is the birthright of every believer in Jesus Christ. It is true that not every believer has claimed his birthright, but it is he is, promised and provided by God, through a crucified, risen, and ascended Savior, and if you have not claimed your birthright, you may claim it today.” (Bold emphasis mine.)

The above is a very shoddy method of Bible handling. Why? Because the author, however sincere, erroneously linked the “church” in Acts chapter 2 with the Church the Body of Christ that exists today. Beloved, Pentecost is not our pattern. It has nothing to do with us today. Absolutely nothing! The working of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost has nothing to do with us. Never once does Paul in his epistles, Romans through Philemon, tell us to be “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Plain English tells us that that was for Israel. Once we believe the Gospel of the Grace of God—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)—the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Church the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). We are not baptized with the Holy Ghost as Israel was; we are baptized by Him into the Body of Christ. They are totally different doctrines. No honest person could ever say these are the same doctrines:

God’s Word to Israel. Acts 1:5: “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Jesus is baptizing people with the Holy Ghost (“He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost…”, Matthew 3:11).

God’s Word to the Church the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is baptizing believing into Jesus Christ, into the Church the Body of Christ.

We must move on, however, for we need to focus on answering the question as to the identity of the “afar off” individuals of Acts 2:39.

“ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF”

Who are these people? Remember… Context! Context! Context! We have to remember the context of Acts chapter 2. These Jews (especially the males) have traveled from every nation under heaven, and they have assembled in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost. Verses 5-11 explain: “[5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. [6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? [8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? [9] Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, [10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, [11] Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

These Jews have done exactly what JEHOVAH had told Israel through Moses many centuries earlier. Three times a year—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles—every male Jew was to travel to Jerusalem and celebrate JEHOVAH’S feasts. Deuteronomy 16:16 commanded them: “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:”

But why are these Jews in Acts chapter 2 “from every nation under heaven?” Why were they not all permanently living in the Promised Land? Remember, many centuries earlier, beginning with the Assyrian and Babylonian Captivities, 722 B.C. onward to Acts chapter 2, God had scattered Israel amongst every nation under heaven. They never did permanently resettle in the Promised Land. All the Jews who stayed behind in their native lands—such as women and children—were not present in Jerusalem in Acts chapter 2. These are the people who are “afar off.” It has nothing to do with Gentiles. How do we know? Look at the Bible instead of the denominational handbook or seminary textbook!

In Daniel chapter 9, we see the Prophet praying to JEHOVAH, confessing his sins and the sins of his people, just as Moses had commanded centuries before in the Law. The Babylonians led by King Nebuchadnezzar have already come and destroyed Jerusalem. The Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem is in ruins. The northern kingdom of Israel has been taken off to the Assyrians’ land. The Jews’ southern kingdom of Judah is in Babylon, Daniel being among the captives. Daniel knows that God has rightly judged Israel for her centuries of wickedness. He had had enough of her idolatry. They are now out of the Promised Land, literately ruined every which way (economically, spiritually, physically, and politically).

Daniel 9: “[1] In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; [2] In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. [3] And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: [4] And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; [5] We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: [6] Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. [7] O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. [8] O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. [9] To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; [10] Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.”

Verse 7 above identifies the “afar” people of Acts 2:39. Daniel was not praying for Gentiles any more than Peter was preaching to them on Pentecost! Those “afar off” are Jews scattered throughout the world, who are living outside of the confines of Israel’s physical boundaries. They are still under the fifth course of judgment. As JEHOVAH promised wicked Israel in Leviticus chapter 26: “[31] And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. [32] And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. [33] And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. [34] Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths…. [38] And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.”

By the day of Pentecost and Acts chapter 2, Israel still does not have her Davidic kingdom and she does not have her homeland. Gentiles (now Romans) are still ruling over her and making her life miserable. Nothing has really changed since Daniel’s time. Peter’s message in Acts chapter 2 is how Israel can return to fellowship with JEHOVAH God. As Acts 2:38 says, they are to repent (change their thinking). They are to be water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. They will then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That will bring them closer to their Davidic kingdom with Jesus Christ as their King. He will come (yet future) and establish it for them.

No amount of twisting verses will help. There is no message whatsoever for Gentiles in Acts 2:38-39. Peter had to convert all of Israel before he was to preach to Gentiles (Acts 1:8). In fact, Peter did not want to preach to Gentile Cornelius in Acts chapter 10. You cannot tell me Peter was willing to preach to Gentiles in Acts 2:39 but that he refused to do it in Acts chapter 10! That is nonsense. Peter was not addressing Gentiles in Acts 2:39. Led by the Holy Spirit, he only preached to Jews! God was not ready to call Gentiles until He saved and commissioned Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul (Romans 11:13)!

Also see:
» Did the Church the Body of Christ begin in Acts 2?
» Does not Acts 11:15 prove the Body of Christ began in Acts 2?
» How were Gentiles saved before our Dispensation of Grace?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Miscellaneous, Should we use the book of John in evangelism?, Should we use the book of John in evangelism?, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS

Should we use the book of John in evangelism?

SHOULD WE USE THE BOOK OF JOHN IN EVANGELISM?

by Shawn Brasseaux

If you are familiar with Protestant churches, especially “Evangelical” circles, you have seen or heard them use verses from the book of John during their salvation invitations. John 3:16 is probably the most well-known Bible verse—”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It is still being used in Gospel tracts and Gospel literature, and can be found on T-shirts, bracelets, church signs, bumper stickers, church bulletins, plaques, mugs, et cetera.

One commentator, representing the average Bible teacher or pastor, wrote the following: “The gospel of John is the one book of the Bible specifically written with the purpose of leading men to Jesus Christ and salvation.” The author went on to talk about how we needed to use John’s Gospel to be “effective witnesses for Christ.” While we agree that John’s Gospel contains many exhortations to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (John 1:12; John 2:11; John 2:23; John 3:15-18,36; et al.), what exactly were they to believe about Him? (We will answer that question in this study as well.)

The above people encourage us to use the book of John when we witness to lost people. Also, they urge new Christians to begin reading the Bible in the book of John. I heard it constantly during the years I attended denominational churches. Just the other day at a store, a lady was telling me how her church had recommended that she get a new modern-English Bible and start reading in John’s Gospel. (We had a nice discussion after she said that!)

As previously mentioned, many a tracts and books have John 3:16 in them. The famous “ye must be born again” phrase is extracted from John 3:3-7 and placed in Gospel tracts and messages. For some time, I used the Gospel of John to preach and/or teach people about their need to be saved from their sins. While the Gospel of John is most definitely the inspired Word of God, over the years, I have come to understand—like other Pauline dispensationalists—that John is a very important piece of Israel’s Scriptures. We should study the Gospel of John, and we can quote the Gospel of John during salvation messages, but we should be mindful of its original place in God’s Holy Word. (For more information about the original meaning of John 3:16, please see our study linked at the end of this article.)

In this study, we will look at three common points that very few know concerning the Gospel of John and Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. You will surely read some shocking statements. The average denominational person does not like them, either. However, my friend, it is my hope and prayer that you will let the verses speak for themselves. Above all, by faith, take your stand on the verses!

1. JOHN’S GOSPEL IS WRITTEN TO LOST JEWS TO TELL THEM THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD, MESSIAH/CHRIST.

The Bible book we call “The Gospel According to John” is the fourth and final record of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. John is starkly different from the so-called “Synoptic Gospels” (Matthew, Mark, and Luke): the Apostle John emphasizes aspects and events of Christ’s earthly ministry that Matthew, Mark, and Luke usually entirely disregard.

John 1:11-13 introduces the theme of the book of John: “[11] He [Jesus Christ] came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 20:30,31 elaborate: “[30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

When moving the Apostle John to write his Gospel record, the Holy Ghost selected specific events of Christ’s earthly ministry, eight unique miraculous demonstrations through which Jesus taught Israel various doctrines (our King James Bible calls these miracles “signs”). These signs communicated to Israel that Jesus Christ was their Christ/Messiah, the Son of God, and that He had the ability, the power, to equip them to function as “the sons of God,” men and women who could work with God and delight in accomplishing His earthly purpose and program.

Those last few verses of John chapter 20 are not at all a salvation message for Gentiles. These verses are the heart of the Gospel of the Kingdom, a Gospel message that focuses on who Jesus is. He is the Messiah/Christ, the Son of the living God. There is no mention of His death, burial, or resurrection in the Gospel of the Kingdom. The good news of Calvary was not declared until the Lord Jesus Christ revealed it to the Apostle Paul, over a year after the events of Calvary. Notice the confessions of these Messianic Jews, believers in the Gospel of the Kingdom:

  • Andrew told his brother Simon Peter, “We have found Messias, which is, being interpreted, Christ” (John 1:41).
  • Nathanael said to Jesus, “Thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel” (John 1:49).
  • Peter said to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).
  • Martha said to Jesus, “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world” (John 11:27).
  • The Samaritans of John 4:42 said of Jesus, “we… know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”
  • In Acts 2:36-38, Peter stressed Jesus’ Lordship and Christship and urged Israel to repent and be water baptized in Jesus Christ’s
  • Even as late as Acts 8:37, a year after Calvary, the Gospel was still “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Modern Bible versions and their underlying manuscripts omit this important verse!)

There was nothing in the above verses that made reference to Calvary. The message was simply who Jesus was/is. He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. Notice how in John’s Gospel, as well as in other passages of Israel’s program, that the “name” of Jesus Christ is emphasized. Again, it is a reference to who He is rather than what He did:

  • John 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
  • John 3:18: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
  • Acts 3:16: “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
  • Acts 8:12: “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
  • 1 John 3:23: “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
  • 1 John 5:13: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

2. WE DO NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul made it very clear that we do not know Jesus Christ according to His fleshly ministry, and this would include the book of John: “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have know Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Corinthians 5:16). There was a time in the Bible when people knew Jesus Christ according to His ministry to the circumcision, the nation Israel.

Read Romans 9:5: “[The Israelites] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” And Romans 15:8: “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” Ephesians 2:12 says that we Gentiles were “without Christ.” During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ dealt with people on the basis of physical circumcision (Jew) and physical uncircumcision (Gentile). He said, “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). He also declared, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24).

That distinction of Jew/Gentile was done away with when our Dispensation of Grace began. Once Paul’s “all-men” ministry began, God taught mankind not to judge between “Jew and Gentile.” God considered all lost Jews and all lost Gentiles equally satanic and hell-bound. Unbelieving Israel lost her status before God—God considered all lost people “Gentiles,” consigned to hell. Furthermore, in Paul’s ministry, God was taking believing Jews and believing Gentiles and forming the Church the Body of Christ, in which there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:26-28; Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15; Colossians 3:10-11). That formation of the Body of Christ is all predicated upon the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

3. MUCH OF THE BOOK OF JOHN OCCURRED BEFORE CALVARY.

Absolutely, Jesus Christ talked about His death and His resurrection (see John 2:18-22), but the merits of that crosswork were still unknown to mankind. That was God’s secret that He kept in Himself. If we want to know an exposition of the importance of Calvary’s cross to us Gentiles (Body of Christ), we need to go to the book of Romans. (The book of Hebrews functions as such for the nation Israel.) The first five chapters of Romans discuss how Jesus’ finished work at Calvary can save sinners, chapters 6 through 8 discuss how that crosswork impacts the Christian’s life on a daily basis, and chapters 12 through 16 are a further explanation of how we are to apply those grace doctrines to life.

Now, contrariwise, over 90 percent of the book of John deals with Jesus Christ’s miracles—eight specific signs to be precise. There is no salvation for us contained in Jesus’ miracle ministry. That special ministry was to prove who He was to Israel. It was not John’s intent to evangelize Gentiles with his Gospel record. John said that he was leading people to recognize and believe on the name of Jesus as Messiah/Christ. Such a message would mean nothing to Gentiles. Jews were looking for a Messiah—Messiah was to come to Israel. Gentiles are not looking for a Messiah, friends!

CONCLUSION

Many well-meaning people have urged us to use John’s Gospel record as a salvation tool and as an introduction to the Bible. While we agree that John’s Gospel contains many exhortations to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (John 1:12; John 2:11; John 2:23; John 3:15-18,36; et al.), what exactly was the message that audience was to believe about Him? Was it “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day?” No. Most of the Gospel of the John details Jesus’ miracles and records His words to His disciples the night before He died. There is actually very little about Calvary in the Gospel of John. We see Jesus crucified in chapter 19 of John, but that is just one chapter and it is dedicated to the historical event of Calvary’s cross. John spent much of his Gospel Record focusing on who Jesus was and how He preached and performed eight miracles to validate who He was. People are taking Paul’s epistles and simply reading them back into the Gospel of John, and that is only blurring the distinction between Paul’s ministry and the other ministries in the Bible.

What John wanted his audience to believe about Jesus was that He was the Son of God, the Christ/Messiah. In John’s Gospel, it was all about who Jesus was rather than what He did at Calvary. Jesus’ identity was in fact no mystery (secret). What Jesus accomplished at Calvary was a mystery/secret (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Before Paul came, people believed Jesus was Messiah/Christ. What God had not revealed to them was the full merits of His crosswork. (For more information, you can see our study titled, “Who were the people who followed Jesus before Paul?,” linked below.)

The primary Bible book that we should be using for Gospel messages, Gospel tracts, et cetera, for this the Dispensation of Grace, is the book of Romans. Chapters 1-5 talk about the full benefits of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. The very first Bible book a person should read (when new to the Bible) is the book of Romans. Chapters 6-8 and chapters 12-16 discuss how the Christian life functions on the basis of the doctrine outlined in the first five chapters. I believe it is in accordance with the Devil’s agenda that most Christians and most lost people overlook the book of Romans and start with John, or Acts, or Matthew, or Psalms, or Genesis. In doing so, they never get the clear Gospel message and clear-Christian-living message that the book of Romans gives, thus remaining lost in their sins or confused about how their Christian life should function.

Also see:
» Who were the people who followed Jesus before Paul?
» What is the real meaning of John 3:16?
» I am new to the Bible so where should I begin?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Can you explain Matthew 21:43?, Can you explain Matthew 21:43?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY

Can you explain Matthew 21:43?

CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN MATTHEW 21:43?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Lord Jesus Christ said during His final weeks of earthly ministry: “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matthew 21:43). Is He giving Israel’s covenants/kingdom over to us Gentiles, as some teach? Is He predicting the formation of the Church the Body of Christ, as some teach? If Israel is God’s chosen people in the books of Matthew through John, then why did Jesus tell Israel that He was taking God’s kingdom from them and giving it to “a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof?” We are to be Berean Bible students, comparing Scripture with Scripture, to see what things are so (Acts 17:11).

When God began to form the nation Israel with Abraham, He intended all of Abraham’s descendants to participate in His earthly plan. However, as time passed, many of Abraham’s descendants were unbelieving. In Matthew 21:43, Jesus Christ is addressing Israel’s apostate religious leaders. These unbelieving Jews will not participate by faith in God’s dealings with Israel. They are too focused on works-religion and their righteousness. So, God will not allow them to enter the Millennium (the 1,000-year reign of Christ). They will never set foot in Christ’s righteous kingdom. They refused to be born-again as John chapter 3 admonished, so God will deny them access to the kingdom intended only for born-again Jews.

Luke 12:32 is the companion passage of Matthew 21:43. We begin in verse 31 of Luke chapter 12: “[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. [32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” The parallel passage is Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The primary issue here is spiritual matters rather than physical (material) matters. Jesus Christ tells wayward Israel that they must seek God’s righteousness first (spiritual issue) before they can enjoy His physical blessings (material issue). They needed to have their priorities in proper order. They needed to first be saved from their sins by trusting Him!

It is important to note that the Lord Jesus did not say, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to nations bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matthew 21:43). “Nation” is singular, not plural. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” God did not give Israel’s kingdom over to nations (plural, as in Gentiles in the Body of Christ) but rather one nation (singular)—redeemed Israel. God took Israel’s kingdom away from apostate Israel and gave it to a nation (redeemed, born-again Israel) that was willing to submit to His righteousness, the “foolish nation” of Romans 10:19 and Deuteronomy 32:21. As John the Baptist warned, unbelieving Jews will be consumed in righteous wrath when Jesus Christ returns, and they will be cast into hellfire, never allowed into God’s earthly kingdom (Matthew 3:7-12; Matthew 13:37-42).

Also see:
» Is the Church the Body of Christ spoken of in Matthew 16:18?
» What does “My kingdom is not of this world” mean?
» Does Hebrews 10:25 really teach we must attend church?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Is it “Pauline” to call ourselves “Christians?”, Is it “Pauline” to call ourselves “Christians?”

Is it “Pauline” to call ourselves “Christians?”

IS IT “PAULINE” TO CALL OURSELVES “CHRISTIANS?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Why do so many saints who trust in the Gospel of Christ refer to themselves as ‘Christians?’ In my research, I have never read the Apostle Paul ever refer to a member of the Body of Christ by that title. So, therefore, is it sound by Scripture for us to continue to call ourselves by this Gospel of the Kingdom term?”

Thank you, friend, for that question. I have often wondered about that matter myself, so you encouraged me to formally do a study on it. True, Paul never uses the term “Christian” in his epistles. However, on two occasions in the Bible, the title is used in connection with his ministry. The term appears three times overall in the King James Bible, so we will first briefly survey these passages. Then, we will summarize our findings and form a Scriptural conclusion.

Let us look at the first instance. We read in Acts 11:25-26: “[25] Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: [26] And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” The first time in history the disciples were ever called “Christians” was right here, in Antioch, and take note that it is in connection with the Apostle Paul’s ministry (at this time, he is still called “Saul”). The hermeneutic (interpretation) rule of “first mention” dictates that the first time any term appears in the Bible, its context carries much weight when the term appears throughout the rest of the Bible. We will comment more on that later. Just remember for now this verse is the “first-mention” verse.

Now to the second time “Christian” is used in the canon of Scripture. When Paul stood before King Agrippa in Acts chapter 26, the Apostle gave his testimony to this Gentile king. Reading in verses 27 and 28: “[27] King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. [28] Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian.” Agrippa, very convicted by the Word of God, brushed off Paul’s words with, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” In other words, “Paul, you expect me to become a Christian based on your wild, incredible stories? No way!” (You can sense the scorn, the mockery, in Agrippa’s words.) While Luke does not record everything that Paul said in the book of Acts, I wonder if Paul did not use that term Christian in his testimony previously. Two quick observations. Firstly, Agrippa was aware of the term (from where did he learn it?). Secondly, an interestingly enough, Paul did not discourage him from using it (did Paul approve of its usage among Gentiles, those apart from Israel’s Gospel of the Kingdom?, evidently so).

The last occurrence of the term “Christian” in the King James Bible is in 1 Peter 4:16: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” As you pointed out, this would indeed be a reference to the Jerusalem/Kingdom saints of Israel, the Little Flock. A little side-note: the “suffering” here is what Israel’s Little Flock will experience during the seven-year Tribulation, when the Antichrist slaughters those who do not worship him. Those Jews who accept Jesus as Messiah will automatically risk (ultimately forfeit) their lives for refusing the false Messiah.

Returning to your question, “Is it sound by Scripture for us to continue to call ourselves by this Gospel of the Kingdom term?” Well, here is how the Bible uses the term “Christian:”

  1. The term “Christian” was originally used to refer to Paul’s Gentile converts in Antioch, Syria (Acts 11:26). King Agrippa was aware of it being used to refer to the people associated with Paul’s ministry (Acts 26:28).
  1. Sometime after it was first used in Acts 11:26, the name “Christian” was used to apply to Israel’s Little Flock as well (1 Peter 4:16). In other words, the title did not originally relate to the Gospel of the Kingdom or Israel’s believers, so it is not Scripturally-accurate to classify “Christian” as a “Gospel of the Kingdom term.” It is used in Scripture to once apply to Jewish kingdom saints, but its original usage involved Paul’s ministry, and it is used twice in connection with Paul’s ministry.

Interestingly, Paul, as you pointed out, never used the term “Christian” in his actual writings. We can search his epistles to learn that his “favorite” term to refer to believers, including those in Body of Christ, was “saints” (which term, incidentally, originally referred to Jewish believers, Old Testament believers [see the book of Psalms, for example], those who were saved before the Church the Body of Christ began). Try Romans 1:7, Romans 8:27, Romans 12:13, Romans 15:25-26 (little flock), Romans 16:2, Romans 16:15, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 6:1-2, et cetera. Paul used the term “saints” some 40 times in Romans through Philemon, mostly to describe his converts but sometimes to refer to Israel’s Little Flock.

“Christian” is a general term that simply means “Christ-like” or “follower of Christ.” First it was used as one of scorn—an insult that unbelievers hurled at people who behaved like Jesus Christ. If you think about it, that would apply to both Israel’s Little Flock and the Church the Body of Christ. Whether in Israel’s program or in our program, the Little Flock or the Church the Body of Christ, God’s purpose is to manifest His life in and through both sets of believers. Perhaps that is why the word is used in both programs: God’s Word working in both programs produces people who behave like Jesus Christ.

Based on the term “Christian” associated twice with Paul’s ministry in the Bible, I do not think it wrong to call ourselves “Christians” any more than it is wrong for us to call ourselves “Saints.” As long as we do not call ourselves something used exclusively for describing Israel (“Little Flock,” “Israel of God,” “Kingdom of Priests,” “Holy Nation,” and so on), we are safe in our theology.

Also see:
» Is the Church the Body of Christ spoken of in Matthew 16:18?
» Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?
» Did Paul quote verses out of context in 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, Can you explain Galatians 2:11-16?, Can you explain Galatians 2:11-16?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY

Can you explain Galatians 2:11-16?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN GALATIANS 2:11-16? WAS PAUL TELLING PETER THAT THE LITTLE FLOCK WAS UNDER GRACE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“I have a question! It is about Peter in Galatians 2:11-21. I understand that Paul reproves Peter, because he acted under the law between Body of Christ. The question is, did Paul remind Peter that the Little Flock is now also under grace? To me it looks like Paul is teaching Peter that he is justified without works of the law (Galatians 2:16-18).”

Thank you for that question, brother. It is a technical topic, but if we compare related verses, we can then arrive at a rather easy answer. We just need to be willing to let the verses say what they say. Yes, it will get lengthy, so I have tried to make it as short as I can. For simplicity’s sake, I will give a brief answer first, and then provide the details in a “longer answer.”

Let us first read the passage in question, Galatians 2:11-21:

“[11] But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. [12] For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. [13] And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. [14] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? [15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, [16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

“[17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. [18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. [20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”

THE BRIEF ANSWER

My understanding of the above passage is that Paul’s quote ends at the close of verse 16. That is why I reproduced the passage above with a paragraph break between verses 16 and 17. Verses 11 through 16 involve Peter and Paul, while verse 17 through to the end of the epistle are the words of Paul to the Galatians. Acknowledging this break will help dispel much of the confusion as to what Paul actually told Peter.

I do not think Paul was telling Peter and the Little Flock they were now under grace. Peter and the Little Flock were still under the Law. Remember, James throughout his epistle instructed the Little Flock to continue Law-keeping. In Acts chapter 21—which occurred years after Galatians chapter 2 (Acts chapter 15)—the Little Flock still kept the Mosaic Law and participated in Temple worship (“thousands of Jews… which believe; and they are all zealous of the law;” Acts 21:20). So, it seems to me that Paul, in Galatians 2:16-18, was telling Peter/Little Flock that his (that is, Paul’s) converts were under grace, and Peter’s actions were confusing Paul’s converts.

Remember, Jesus (like the epistles of James and 1 John) told the Little Flock to keep the Law of Moses. The Lord Jesus said that if the members of the Messianic Church did not keep the commandments of the Mosaic Law and teach others to do the same, they would be “least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-20; cf. Matthew 28:19-20). The only possible exception to this rule that I can see is if members of the Little Flock went and fellowshipped/ate with Paul’s Gentile converts (such as in Galatians chapter 2, your question). For the sake of these new converts in Paul’s ministry, Israel’s Little Flock could temporarily abandon their Law-keeping. In day-to-day living amongst themselves, apart from fellowshipping with Paul’s Gentile converts, the Little Flock was to follow Moses. That goes back to James’ epistle and John’s epistle of Law-keeping, Acts chapter 21, and Jesus’ legalistic commands to the Little Flock.

That is the simple answer, but it leaves various questions unanswered, so we proceed to “fill in the details.”

THE MORE DETAILED ANSWER

Here are some assorted notes I have collected while researching your question. They may help you with details as well as cause you to see the overall picture.

Once more, please note that Paul’s words to Peter are found in Galatians 2:14-16. Paul did not speak to Peter the words of verses 17-21. Verses 17-21 seem to be Paul’s words written to the Galatians. So, Paul’s verbal/spoken quotation closes at the end of verse 16. We can avoid much confusion by realizing this. (Paul’s discussion with Peter is what Paul uses in verses 17-21 to demonstrate to the Galatians that Law-keeping was unnecessary for the Body of Christ. Verses 1-16 are two illustrations [1-10 and 11-16] Paul used to teach the Galatians about the dispensational change from Law to Grace, Peter to Paul, prophecy to mystery, Israel to Body of Christ, et cetera. Paul’s argument in epistle to the Galatians was not that the Little Flock was under grace, but rather that the Body of Christ was under grace.)

To better understand Galatians 2:11-16, remember the previous 10 verses. Galatians 2:1-10 is the famous Jerusalem Conference of Acts chapter 15 that I mentioned earlier. Galatians 2:11-16 occurred immediately after that apostolic conference. Note the circumstances surrounding, and the results of, that Jerusalem Conference.

Firstly, why was this Jerusalem Conference of Acts chapter 15 even held? Believing Law-keeping Messianic Jews had confused Paul’s converts into embracing legalism. We will briefly read Acts 15:1-5:

“[1] And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. [2] When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. [3] And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. [4] And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. [5] But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

Jesus Christ instructed Paul to go to Jerusalem and tell the elders and apostles of Israel about his new Gospel message and God’s change in programs. Luke recorded it in Acts and Paul wrote about it in Galatians 2:1-10. That Jerusalem Conference, when you study all of Acts chapter 15, agreed that legalism was not necessary for Paul’s converts because of the dispensational change. At that apostolic conference, Peter and the 10 (minus James) learned of Paul’s Gospel for the first time. They agreed that Paul’s converts did not have to observe the Mosaic Law, including the kosher food laws (see Acts 15:19-29). In fact, the Jerusalem kingdom saints even sent a letter to Paul’s converts to apologize for those legalizers who had oppressed and confused them.

Now, right after this conference, Peter came to Antioch. That is the passage you have asked about. Let us read Galatians 2:11-16, once more:

“[11] But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. [12] For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. [13] And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. [14] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? [15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, [16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Please note again that the dialogue/conversation between Peter and Paul stopped here. In other words, Paul did not tell Peter the words of verses 17-21. A close examination of the change in language seems to indicate that verse 17 onward was Paul’s words to the Galatians.

So, how was Peter acting wrong in Antioch? He was turning away from that agreement reached in Acts chapter 15 earlier. By him fearing those Jewish visitors and then withdrawing from eating with Paul’s Gentile converts, it caused Paul’s converts to stumble. Paul then (rightly but respectfully) rebuked Peter. Paul’s words in Galatians 2:14 indicate that Peter was, by example, greatly pressuring Paul’s Gentiles to now observe kosher food laws as well. Peter was “compelling the Gentiles to live as do the Jews.” These believing Gentiles had first heard from the Jerusalem Church that it was now okay for them to eat non-kosher foods, but then Peter suddenly acted like it was not okay for them to eat non-kosher foods. Even Barnabas was negatively affected, carried away with their “dissimulation” (hypocrisy), verse 13 says. “Dissembled” means “to have acted hypocritically with.” There was no sincerity in Peter’s withdrawal. Other Jews and Barnabas were pressured to (and did) play the hypocrite with Peter. It was a huge stumbling block for the believing Gentiles (whom Satan had already attacked earlier prior to the Jerusalem Conference).

That epistle from Jerusalem to Antioch condoned Gentile Christians eating non-kosher foods, but Peter’s actions caused the sincerity of the letter to be questioned. (The believing Gentiles probably asked themselves, “The Jerusalem Church approved our non-kosher foods, and Peter signed that letter too, but now that Peter is here he is pressuring us to follow him in avoiding the non-kosher foods, just to please these Jewish visitors?! Did those Jews from James not agree we could eat these non-kosher foods?! Were they lying to us?”) It was as if now Peter, the representative from Jerusalem, did not agree with the letter from Jerusalem he had endorsed earlier. It made the Gentiles in Antioch question that letter. The Jerusalem Church and its efforts to get along with Paul’s Gentiles in Antioch were greatly disrupted. Satan was working overtime here, and Paul rightly blamed Peter.

Paul said that Peter and those other Jews “walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel” (verse 14). “The truth of the gospel” is that we—the Body of Christ, Paul’s converts, not the Little Flock—are free from the Law of Moses and its kosher food laws. That was Paul’s whole argument in the entire epistle of Galatians. The “Gospel” here is the Gospel of the Grace of God, not Israel’s Kingdom Gospel. Paul made it clear to Peter and these other Jews again—just as he did in that Jerusalem Conference—that legalism did not belong where the Gospel of Grace was present. If the Little Flock would come to his Gentile assemblies for visits, these kingdom Jews would have to give way to the current program of God and temporarily abandon those dietary restrictions. When these kingdom Jews returned to their own assemblies, they were to return to the Law as the Lord Jesus Christ had previously told them. God’s current Dispensation of Grace had not abolished Law-keeping in Israel’s program. It had merely prohibited Law-keeping among Paul’s Gentile converts and other Gentiles who would be saved later under Paul’s ministry.

Again, in Peter’s own program, Law-keeping was necessary. Matthew 5:17-18, which we looked at earlier, says that. However, when it came to Peter fellowshipping with Paul’s converts, the Holy Spirit through Paul approved Peter eating non-kosher foods. After all, Peter should have embraced the agreement reached in Acts chapter 15 and Galatians chapter 2. All the leaders of the Jerusalem Church and Paul and Barnabas—all filled with the Holy Spirit—made that agreement and Peter should have kept it. (Peter should have said in Galatians 2:11-16, “I am not going to act in such a way that Paul’s converts stumble. They have already been confused enough. I agreed they did not have to observe Moses and the kosher food laws. I should temporarily suspend my Law-keeping to show the Gentiles I meant what I said in the letter. I need to keep the weaker brethren in mind. We Jewish believers are more spiritually mature and have known righteous living longer than Paul’s converts, so we need to be mindful of their edification.”)

What was Paul really telling Peter in Galatians 2:15-16? Let us briefly talk a little more about that phrase, “the truth of the gospel.”

“[15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, [16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

The first and foremost issue in Israel’s program or our program is faith/belief/trust. The message that Peter and the 11 preached was a works message, but it required faith first. “But without faith it is impossible to please [God]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). That faith then led that Jewish kingdom believer to do what the message commanded (confession of sins, repentance, water baptism, Law-keeping, et cetera). In contradistinction, our gospel message does not have those works attached to it. According to Paul, Peter in Galatians 2:11-16 did not believe our message was true for Paul’s Gentiles in Antioch. Peter in his behavior was causing Paul’s Gentiles to return to the Law of Moses, directly opposing: (1) our Gospel of Grace, and (2) the agreement reached in Acts chapter 15. In short, Peter’s hypocritical behavior reversed any friendly progress that had been made between the two groups of believers, Jerusalem and Antioch.

We will briefly look at Acts 15:1-5 once more: “[1] And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. [2] When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. [3] And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. [4] And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. [5] But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

If you notice verses 1 and 5, in bolded type, Jewish legalists had gone to Paul’s Gentile converts and told them to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved (or “justified before God”). That great apostolic meeting here was convened to settle the matter. What Paul was telling Peter in Galatians 2:15-16 was a reminder that Paul’s converts were not justified by Law-keeping (kosher foods), but by faith in Jesus Christ’s faith (His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins). Works belonged with Peter and the 11 and the Little Flock in their prophetic-kingdom program, but Peter had no right to introduce religious-works into the Body of Christ. He was just as much in error as the legalists who prompted the Jerusalem Conference earlier in the chapter.

Also see:
» What about Acts 15:11?
» Did Peter and Paul preach the same Gospel?
» Could you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS, What does John 3:16 really mean?, What does John 3:16 really mean?

What does John 3:16 really mean?

1 Comment

WHAT DOES JOHN 3:16 REALLY MEAN? IS IT THE GOSPEL OF GRACE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

John 3:16 is the most translated, the most quoted, and the most memorized verse. It appears on bumper stickers, T-shirts, coffee mugs, bracelets and pendants, and Gospel tracts. In fact, even many non-Christians are familiar with it. Everyone knows about John 3:16—or at least they used to know it—but seldom do people understand what that verse really means. Sadly, the true meaning of John 3:16 has been lost amidst religious tradition (denominationalism). In this study, we want to examine John 3:16 and its context in order to discover its (rather fascinating) meaning. Rather than appealing to religious tradition, we ask, “For what saith the Scriptures?”

The King James Bible says in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Unfortunately, modern English Bibles have removed “begotten,” thereby destroying the correlation between Psalm 2:7, John 3:16, Acts 13:33, and Romans 1:4. According to the Bible, “begotten” refers to Jesus Christ’s resurrection, not Him being born in Bethlehem.) God has many sons, but only one “begotten” Son (see John 1:12; Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:6-7).

Beyond all question and doubt, John 3:16 is God’s inspired Word. However, John 3:16 is not sufficient to lead a person to salvation today. Let me show you how we know that. In order to understand John 3:16, we need to approach it God’s way. We are instructed to, “Study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). God has made distinctions in His Word, so we need to recognize those distinctions and separate them with divisions. All of the Bible is written for us, but not all of the Bible is written to us or written about us.

According to Matthew 10:5-7, Matthew 15:24, John 4:22, and Romans 15:8, the Four Gospels record the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ to the nation Israel under the Law. We are not the nation Israel, and we are not under the Law of Moses (Romans 6:14-15; Romans 11:25; Galatians 3:28). It is clear that John 3:16 has nothing to do with us today. It belongs in Israel’s program because it is a statement spoken to Nicodemus, a religious leader of Israel (see John 3:1,10).

Furthermore, we understand that Jesus Christ never spoke of Paul’s Gospel of Grace during His earthly ministry (Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 3:1-9; Colossians 1:25-29; 1 Timothy 1:11). The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were never proclaimed as a salvation message until we get to Paul’s ministry. (More on this later.) If John 3:16 is not a reference to Calvary, then what does it mean? In order to answer this, we need to go back and briefly look at the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.

“THE PROMISES MADE UNTO THE FATHERS” (ROMANS 15:8)

Firstly, let us look at the Abrahamic Covenant, found in Genesis 12:1-3: “[1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

The first two verses refer to the establishment of a new race, the nation Israel (Jews). Notice the last portion of verse 3: “in thee [Abraham] shall all families of the earth be blessed.” To wit, God would use the nation Israel as a channel of blessing to reach the rest of the world with salvation. According to the Abrahamic Covenant, God promised to bless those who blessed Israel and curse those who cursed Israel.

In Exodus 19:5-6, some 500 years after Abraham, and just after the deliverance from Egyptian slavery, the LORD promised to make Israel a “kingdom of priests.” Nevertheless, God does not reveal the details of this kingdom until King David’s time, some 500 years after Moses and Exodus chapter 19. The LORD promised King David that one of his descendants would become the everlasting King of Israel (this is Jesus Christ).

Examine the details of the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:8-17, where God speaks to King David through the prophet Nathan: “[12] And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever…. [16] And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”

Understand from Abraham to the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, the nation Israel had the hope of being a “kingdom of priests.” Israel was God’s covenant people, and Christ ministered to Israel to fulfill the promises made to Israel’s patriarchs, particularly the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants (cf. Romans 15:8).

Throughout the Old Testament when God dealt predominantly with the nation Israel, He was still concerned with the salvation of Gentiles. God had to first save all of Israel, and then He would send Israel to minister to the lost Gentiles. In that kingdom promised in the Davidic Covenant, every Jew would evangelize the world. Read from Zechariah chapter 8: “[20] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: [21] And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. [22] Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. [23] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”

Here the Bible says that once Israel was in her kingdom, the Gentiles would come to God’s light to receive salvation! Gentiles would follow the Jews to meet Immanuel, “God with us [Israel].” God in the Person of Jesus Christ would be ruling the planet from Zion in Jerusalem! Compare this to Isaiah chapter 60: “[1] Arise, shine; for thy [Israel’s] light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee [Israel]. [2] For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee [Israel], and his glory shall be seen upon thee [Israel]. [3] And the Gentiles shall come to thy [Israel’s] light, and kings to the brightness of thy [Israel’s] rising.”

You can also read Isaiah 11:1-9, Isaiah 61:5-6, Daniel 2:44, and Psalm 2:6-9 for additional insight regarding that kingdom. Throughout these verses and passages, the recurring theme is that Israel would rise to kingdom glory, and Gentiles would receive salvation and blessing through Israel. This is very important.

Okay, so let us go back to John chapter 3 and sum it all up. In John chapter 3, Jesus Christ is speaking to Nicodemus, a religious leader of Israel (verses 1 and 10). Despite his religious education, Nicodemus is totally ignorant of the Old Testament prophecies (the promises we just discussed). When Christ tells him, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” Nicodemus fails to understand this is a spiritual birth for Jews, and so inquires how a man can be born again of his mother’s womb (physically) (verses 3 and 4). Nicodemus “marvels;” verse 7 says he is puzzled. Jesus Christ has to explain to Nicodemus God’s original purpose in forming the nation Israel (verses 9 and 10). In John 3:16, Christ tells Nicodemus (I paraphrase): “God loves the whole world! I am here because God wants to save Gentiles too. Before salvation goes to the Gentiles, ye [the nation Israel] must be born again! Your whole nation must trust Me as King-Messiah.”

John 3:3-5 makes references to “the kingdom of God.” What else could this be but a reference to the kingdom promised by the Old Testament prophets? The Lord Jesus Christ tells Nicodemus that every Jew must be “born again” (John 3:3,5). Every Jew must be saved in order for the earthly kingdom to be established. The Jews must be saved first, and then God can use them to minister to the whole world (Gentiles). John 3:17 says: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” How would God save the world, as prophesied in the Old Testament? Through Israel!

PAUL’S GOSPEL OF GRACE

Now, friend, notice why John 3:16 has nothing to do with us as people living in this the Dispensation of Grace. The Lord Jesus Christ knew that the Jews would reject Him and kill Him. He knew the prophetic program and the earthly kingdom would be delayed for a time. Nevertheless, He kept that information secret from everyone during His earthly ministry. None of the Old Testament prophets—not Peter, James, John, or anyone else in the Four Gospels either—knew of this dispensation in which we live, the Dispensation of the Grace of God.

God kept Calvary’s cross hidden from Satan so that he would willingly participate in his own defeat (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). I emphatically remind you that John 3:16 is not to be confused with our Gospel of Grace that we preach today. God did not reveal our Gospel until He revealed it to Paul (in Acts chapter 9). This is why Paul called it “my gospel” (Romans 2:16; Romans 16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8). God first revealed it to Paul and entrusted it to him. When we come to Paul, we come to a new Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God, as found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “How that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Notice what Paul writes in Romans 11:11-12: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” In Paul’s ministry, salvation is going to the Gentiles without Israel—this is contrary to the Abrahamic Covenant! Recall that the salvation of Gentiles was no secret in the Old Testament. The secret was that Gentiles would receive salvation through the fall, not the rise, of Israel.

CONCLUSION

When the Lord Jesus spoke John 3:16 He spoke of the Old Testament promises regarding Israel rising in her coming kingdom. John 3:16 makes no reference to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is not sufficient information to lead someone to Christ today. No one can be saved today by simply understanding John 3:16 because it is not the Gospel by which we are saved in this dispensation! Like we stated before, Jesus Christ was God, and foreknew our present-day Dispensation of Grace was coming, but He did not reveal our Gospel until the Apostle Paul. What people do is, unfortunately, take Paul’s information and “feed it back into” John 3:16. We should not use Paul’s epistles to interpret John 3:16—that is to ignore the Bible’s dispensational boundaries. Paul’s Gospel belongs in the mystery program and John 3:16 belongs in the prophetic program.

Hence, Paul never quoted John 3:16. Why do people quote John 3:16, yet seldom mention Romans 5:8? If you want a good verse to use to prove God’s love for the world, why not use Romans 5:8? “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” You always read John 3:16 in tracts, but you rarely see 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, if at all—the Gospel of Grace is not John 3:16, it is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. If you want to use John 3:16 to show someone the way to salvation, that is okay, but this verse in its context has nothing to do with Calvary’s cross. It belongs in Israel’s program. Leave it there. You will save yourself and others from much confusion.

Also see:
» What does John 1:29 really mean?
» Should we use the book of John to evangelize the lost? (COMING SOON!)
» Is Acts 16:31 a sufficient Gospel message?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Is faith enough to enter heaven? Do not the devils “believe?”, Is faith enough to enter heaven? Do not the devils “believe?”, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS

Is faith enough to enter heaven? Do not the devils “believe?”

IS FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE ENOUGH TO GO TO HEAVEN? DO NOT THE DEVILS “BELIEVE?”

by Shawn Brasseaux

Someone defending her works-religion recently contended with me that faith alone does not guarantee one’s salvation into heaven. Her argument is summarized as follows: “Since the devils ‘believe,’ they could potentially go to heaven. But, since the devils cannot go to heaven, believing is not enough to go to heaven.” I knew she was making a general reference to James 2:19: “Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Was she using this verse properly? Is there any merit in her quoting the verse? Or was she just desperately trying anything to sustain her denominational/works viewpoint? In this brief study, we will evaluate her comments and critically examine the verse. Saint, have this answer ready whenever someone tries to use James 2:19 against you!

While James 2:19 says exactly what it means, and it means exactly what it says, it does have a context… a context often ignored. The context (as I pointed out to her) is James 1:1. Before we grab James 2:24—“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only”—we had first better take James 1:1. The entire epistle of James is not written to whoever happens to find and read it and see how it can be used to advance a “pet” doctrine. The first verse says that James is written to the 12 tribes scattered abroad. James is not writing to the Church the Body of Christ. He says that he is not writing to us Gentiles in the Dispensation of Grace. If we want to claim a verse in James chapter 2 as applicable to us, we had better be sure to know as to which tribe we belong. If we are unaware of such tribal information, we should not be quick to say that we are of the 12 tribes, and we should not be quick to claim what exclusively belongs to the 12 tribes of Israel.

There is no question that the devils believe that there is one God (James 2:19). There is no question that the devils believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (see Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:28; et al.). They did not say Jesus was “the Son of the gods” (plural). However, this is nothing more than head knowledge. A mere mental agreement with God’s Word never saved anyone. It has to be faith in the heart, “for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness” (Romans 10:10a). There are two billion people today who believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins, but very few have heart faith in that message. If they have only head knowledge of Calvary’s crosswork, they are heading to the same devil’s hell as the person who has never heard of Jesus! They constantly say that He died for their sins, but when they are asked if they will go to heaven when they die, they cannot say one way or another because they still have to atone for sins in purgatory. Behold, the confusion and double-mindedness in works-religion!

Furthermore, angelic beings and devils cannot experience soul salvation from sins. They, unlike us, have no Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus Christ became a Man and by becoming a Man He was able to pay the sin debt of Adam and all of Adam’s descendants (see Romans 5:12-21 in its entirety). However, Jesus did not become an angelic being. The Bible says, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). Angels are individual creations of God. Unlike humans, they did not descend from one original couple reproducing. Angels do not have a federal head. People have a federal head—Adam. Consequently, the merits of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork cannot and will never apply to angels or devils. God’s plan of salvation is available only to sons and daughters of Adam. Fallen angels (devils) can never be reconciled to God. They will be doomed to “everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41). Each and every one of them would need their own savior, and we are talking about thousands upon thousands, if not millions, of beings. All angelic beings, whether those angelic beings that are elect of God or those that are fallen and following Satan, know the truth about Calvary. But, that knowledge cannot be reckoned as faith unto righteousness. That privilege is only for humans.

Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Where is the water baptism? The tongues? The tithing? The sinner’s prayer? The turning from sin? The joining the church? There are no works in the verse, yet people are constantly forcing these items into the passage!)

Romans 3:26: “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Again, where is the water baptism? The tongues? The tithing? The sinner’s prayer? The turning from sin? The joining the church? There are no works in the verse, yet people are constantly forcing these items into the passage!)

1 Corinthians 1:21: “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (Once more, where is the water baptism? The tongues? The tithing? The sinner’s prayer? The turning from sin? The joining the church? There are no works in the verse, yet people are constantly forcing these items into the passage!)

These verses—written to us Gentiles!—say that faith alone in Jesus Christ saves an individual from his or her sins today. There are no religious works necessary like in Israel’s program (the context of the book of James). James and Paul are talking about two different types of “belief.” There is no merit in trying to harmonize the two epistles. There is no merit in using a non-applicable verse and making it fit us. Paul is describing heart faith in people (Romans 10:10a), whereas James is talking about head knowledge in devils (James 2:19). Heart faith in James’ audience will cause them to do good works. James is in perfect accordance with Israel’s legalistic system. The devils do not have heart faith, so they will never be able to do the good works that God requires of Israel in James’ context. James is encouraging his audience not to be careless or shallow when it comes to good works. They have faith, now they need works! In Israel’s program, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17,26).

Also see:
» Is Acts 16:31 a sufficient Gospel message?
» We are saved by faith, but are we blessed by works?
» Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, I experienced difficult times. Was God chastening me?, I experienced difficult times. Was God chastening me?

I experienced difficult times. Was God chastening me?

I EXPERIENCED DIFFICULT TIMES. WAS GOD CHASTENING ME?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“I have experienced a season [years] of feeling chastened. I was never certain if it came from Satan or God. I have been a Grace believer since about year 2000 and I follow and respect your teaching, as well as other fine grace teachers; but I still don’t fully understand why I had the horrible experience of guilt and shame, thinking God was angry with my past sins. Few if any pastors/teachers have been able to solve my predicament. Over time I have felt the oppression was now over, and I don’t suffer bouts of fear and anxiety anymore. I work daily to spread the Grace message on the internet and the ‘voices’ that had oppressed me during those terrible years have ceased. Can you give me any explanation of what I have been through?”

Friend, I am sorry to hear of your bad experience. I do not have all the details of what happened to you (and I am not going to ask you for them), so I cannot make a full assessment to fully explain it. Still, here is what I have experienced in my own life and what I have had others tell me about their own similar issue and the solution. I am sure that many others who read this will be able to benefit from the verses contained herein. I think we can give them some peace of mind as to what happened with them as well. By the way, we do have a more in-depth study, “Does God chasten us when we sin?,” linked at the end of this article. You can find more information there.

Our flesh (sin nature) does quite well in “chastening us.” We love to “beat ourselves up” with guilt, even if it is false guilt (the “deceitful” heart of Jeremiah 17:9). If we have had an upbringing in some strict denomination or religion—that is, legalistic churches—the memories of past sermons or homilies can cause us to live in a fog, to live in some manmade fantasy. Perhaps we constantly heard, “God is going to get you if you do not listen to Him, if you do not give to Him, if you do not go to church, if you do not confess all your sins,” et cetera. We are then led to believe that the reason why we are sick, or depressed, or poor, et cetera, is because God is angry with us or getting even with us because of some unconfessed sin. (That is how He dealt with Israel, Deuteronomy chapter 28 and Leviticus chapter 26). Maybe that is why you “feel” like it was a chastening. Someone might have told you that all your life in some religious circle, that God punishes us when we fail Him in the Christian life. Our flesh always gravitates toward religious duty, and it will naturally “beat us up” if we do not have our minds on the grace teachings that Jesus Christ gave us through the Apostle Paul.

Sometimes, people who have come out of a lifestyle of depravity (drugs, alcohol, prostitution, murder, theft, et cetera) and come to Jesus Christ by faith, they are still haunted by their mistakes. God does not shield us from the temporary consequences of our actions. He only shields us from the eternal penalty of hellfire. Thus, we will naturally experience pain or suffering as the result of mistakes. This is not chastening, God directing punishment toward us, but us reaping what we have sown. Remember, regardless of dispensation, we will always reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow. Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us: “[7] Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Today, people feel God is getting even with them for past mistakes. Again, however, it is a failure to remember that Israel’s Scriptures do not apply to us. They are confusing the consequences of their sin with God judging them for their sin. There is a big difference. Let us explain.

IF GOD REALLY WANTED TO JUDGE US FOR OUR SINS

If God really wanted to judge us for our sins, the problems we have in life would pale in comparison. The ultimate form of God’s wrath against our sin is hell and the lake of fire. If God really wanted to judge us for our sins, we would have no relief… ever. When you experience a flat tire or other car troubles, an unexpected hospital stay, a job loss, the death of a loved one, a major natural catastrophe, and so on, that is far from the wrath of God. God is not out to get sinners, today! God is out to get sinners saved today! Friend, if you get nothing else out of the Bible, get that! If God were out to get sinners today, no one would be alive. He would wipe us all out! If God were out to judge nations for their sins today, not a single nation would remain. He would wipe them all off the map! We know, however, that dispensational Bible study precludes God’s wrath from operating today.

Let us see what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1:12-16: “[12] And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; [13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

There is one primary theme operating in this the Dispensation of the Grace of God. Know what it is? GRACE! It is grace not wrath! Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul before salvation) was Israel’s leader and the world’s leader against Jesus Christ. He literally hated the name of Jesus of Nazareth. In the early part of the book of Acts, he imprisoned, tortured, and murdered Messianic Jews. God’s wrath could have literally crushed Saul of Tarsus and whisked him off to everlasting hellfire! As we just read, he was “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious”… but he “obtained mercy,” because he “did it ignorantly in unbelief” (verse 13). Saul instead experienced “the GRACE of our Lord [that] was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (verse 14).

Saul’s worthless ministry was finished, permanently suspended. Now, he would be the first member of the Body of Christ. Saul would be the prime specimen of God’s longsuffering. Why has God’s wrath not yet fallen on this evil world? Look at Paul the pattern! The program that allowed Paul to escape God’s wrath is now operating today, that others may also escape that impending wrath. What wonderful truths we discover in the Bible when we just use the Bible God’s way!

As Paul wrote in Romans 11:30-32: “[30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their [Israel’s] unbelief: [31] Even so have these [Jews] also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. [32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” God has concluded all peoples—all nations—“in belief, that he might have mercy upon all.” Mercy is God holding back His wrath, wrath we do deserve. Grace is God giving us His blessings, blessings we do not deserve. As 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 says: “[18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

In our Dispensation of Grace, God is not imputing the world’s trespasses unto it. He is not judging nations today. Instead, He is offering all the peoples of the world to come to Him by simple faith in what His Son did for them at Cavalry’s cross. That wrath prophesied in the Bible is momentarily stayed, delayed. This postponement in Israel’s program puzzled Israel’s apostles, even after they heard Paul talk about the new divine revelations he had received from the risen, ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ. While it was still hard to believe, Israel’s apostles had to admit that prophecy was indeed interrupted. That wrath that Jesus Christ was to bring, the wrath that they had been preaching for years prior, that wrath was delayed. Paul was the proof that God was saving sinners instead of judging them.

The Apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:15-16: “[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.” As Peter learned, God had given Christ-rejecters in Israel (and all those pagan Gentiles) yet another chance to escape that wrath. Peter wrote in verse 9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Paul was first to be saved into the Church the Body of Christ. As God operates our Dispensation of Grace, grace, love, mercy, and all longsuffering will dominate, thereby delaying divine wrath! Oh, friends, dear readers, if you are not sure of having eternal life and a home in heaven, may you not delay another second. Come by simple faith in Jesus Christ’s shed blood, His death, His burial, and His resurrection as sufficient payment for your sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Follow Paul your pattern!

THE SOLUTION TO “FEELING” CHASTENED—MEMORIZE SOUND PAULINE VERSES!

Okay, so, returning to your original issue. The Devil wars in the minds of us Christians. You can see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The key is to have sound Bible doctrine in order to defend yourself against the wicked wiles of the Devil!

As Christians, people who trusted exclusively in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, Father God has “accepted us in the beloved,” Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:6). “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Remember Romans chapter 5: “[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. [11] And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Father God settled the sin issue at the cross, for Jesus Christ was our “propitiation” (Romans 3:25). He was the fully-satisfying payment for our sins. God has no controversy with us Christians, His children, for Jesus Christ was punished instead, and Jesus Christ enough.

Whatever we suffer, it is not God doing it, but us experiencing the results of our mistakes and others’ mistakes. Satan will use that to his advantage. Our flesh also loves to feel guilty, that we have a pity party, feeling sorry for ourselves, making ourselves and our failures the issue instead of focusing on Jesus Christ’s success on Calvary and the victory He secured for us there! Notice how “who” is the first word of Romans 8:35. Satan uses dire circumstances (verses 35-39) to distract us from remembering Jesus Christ and the love for us He demonstrated at Calvary. Satan certainly uses the lost world (especially lost relatives, and political and religious leaders) to discourage us.

Romans 8:35-39: “[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Throughout the Bible, the Devil used people to discourage God’s prophets and apostles. Just look at what happened throughout the book of Acts, how the Jewish religious leaders (the apostles’ brethren) and the Roman government worked together to hinder the Lord’s work, imprisoning and killing apostles and disciples. As long as Satan has us focusing on all of that, we do not walk in our identity in Christ, and we do not function as God intended us to function (that is how Satan hinders God’s work).

CONCLUSION

For future reference, notice how Paul experienced severe depression in 2 Corinthians 1:3-10, especially verses 8-10. He was referring to the riot in Ephesus in Acts chapter 19, where he could have literally been killed by a mob. Satan had distracted him and his ministry co-workers for a time by using those unbelievers, but Paul and the others eventually remembered to trust God, that He has the power to raise us “from the dead,” speaking of how when we are exhausted, at our wits’ end, wanting to give up because of opposition or problems, God can restore our strength (as someone would recover from a fatal illness). Paul learned not to trust in himself, but in God, who has fully equipped us in Christ to handle all of life’s problems, whether good or bad (Philippians 4:11-13). We are strong, not in ourselves, but in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:5).

No, whatever difficult times you were experiencing, they were not God disciplining you. He corrects us through His written Word, and to have Him communicating to us outside of His Word through circumstances is to deny the completed revelation of Scripture. If God were really after us for unconfessed sin, none of us would have a moment’s peace. We have plenty of things in our past that we do not even recognize as sin. It is good to know that you have come out of that experience. I do not think any of us will ever fully know what happened (whether to you, or to me, or to other Christians), so do not get too burdened in trying to figure it all out. Just leave it at the cross.

If I had to pinpoint the likely source of your experience, however, this would be my conclusion. The flesh always works in tandem with Satan’s goal. Satan wants to distract us from Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, where all guilt and shame belong. As long as Satan can have us think about denominationalism, fleshly things, human tradition, our failures/guilt/shame, et cetera; we will forget the doctrine God wants us to remember (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Again, it is truly a battlefield of the mind! As long as our flesh keeps dredging up guilt and shame, we are defeated, for our minds have disconnected from the doctrine of Calvary, where all guilt and shame are to be sent by faith. What we need to do is “walk in the Spirit,” and when we think like the Holy Spirit has designed us to think (remembering God’s Word to us through Paul, all about our identity in Christ; see 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, for example), we will not fall into the trap of flesh-walking and flesh-thinking (Romans 8:1-15). This is the key to recovering quicker mentally and spiritually the next time we have difficult times. Hope that helps! 🙂

Also see:
» What about “hindered” prayer and “unanswered” prayer?
» Does God chasten us when we sin?
» Is prophecy being fulfilled in the Dispensation of Grace?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, Is prophecy being fulfilled in the Dispensation of Grace?, Is prophecy being fulfilled in the Dispensation of Grace?

Is prophecy being fulfilled in the Dispensation of Grace?

IS BIBLE PROPHECY BEING FULFILLED TODAY IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Prophecy is definitely not being fulfilled today in this the Dispensation of the Grace of God. Think about what events prophecy involves and then you will see why that is the case. Consider these three simple points:

ISSUE #1: PROPHECY’S CHIEF NATION IS FALLEN TODAY

Prophecy involves the formation of the nation Israel. Israel’s formation is not occurring today. There is no Israel of God today. Israel is currently “fallen,” cut off from God, “cast away,” “spiritually blinded,” and “enemies [of God]” (Romans 11:11-12, 15, 25, 28). Today, God is forming the Church the Body of Christ of (individual) believing Jews and believing Gentiles (see Ephesians 3:1-11). This Body of Christ is separate and distinct from the nation Israel. Today, salvation is going to the Gentiles through the fall of Israel. If the agency at the heart of the prophetic program (Israel) does not exist before God today, then the prophetic program itself cannot (and does not) operate right now.

ISSUE #2: PROPHECY’S GOAL IS NOT BEING ACCOMPLISHED TODAY.

Prophecy involves God reclaiming the Earth’s governments. That is not occurring today. Look around at the world’s governments today. Are they of the God of the Bible, or of Satan, “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4)? Rather than reclaiming real estate on Earth, God is influencing the government of heaven today (Ephesians 3:9-11). One day, when we Christians leave planet Earth, God will purge the offices of government in heaven and then place us the Church the Body of Christ into the roles of the fallen angels (Ephesians 1:20-23). In His own time, Jesus Christ will return to Earth and restore God’s authority in the Earth through redeemed Israel (see Revelation 11:15; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 20:4; et cetera). God is not fighting Israel’s battles today; hence, Israel Palestinian and Arab enemies are still browbeating them in the Middle East. Hence, today, Paul calls it this “present evil world” (Galatians 1:4). This planet will abound with evil until prophecy is brought to fruition. If the goal of the prophetic program (Earth’s restoration to God) is not being accomplished today, then the prophetic program itself cannot (and does not) operate right now.

ISSUE #3. PROPHECY’S NEXT STAGE—GOD’S WRATH—IS STILL DELAYED.

Prophecy involves God’s wrath being poured out on rebellious mankind (see Matthew 3:7-12; Acts 2: 32-36; Acts 3:22-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 6:16-17; et al.). That is not occurring today. The Bible says that God is not imputing the world’s trespasses unto it (2 Corinthians 5:19). Today, as Paul declares in his epistles, God’s attitude toward the world is grace and peace (see Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:12-16; et cetera). Through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, all nations can approach the God of the Bible (Ephesians 2:11-22). If the next stage of the prophetic program (God’s wrath) is not being exhibited today, then the prophetic program itself cannot (and does not) operate right now.

“RIGHT DIVISION” ENSURES WE UNDERSTAND THAT PROPHECY AND MYSTERY OPERATE APART FROM EACH OTHER

We read in Romans chapter 11: “[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”

Prophecy and mystery cannot operate simultaneously. That is the purpose of the rapture—to ensure that prophecy remains unfulfilled until the mystery is completed (note Romans 11:25-29 above, especially how verse 25 [the mystery] transitions into verse 26, “as it is written” [prophecy resumes after mystery is finished]). The Church the Body of Christ—”the fulness of the Gentiles”—must be removed from Earth before God continues to deal with Israel again. The mystery program must be stopped on Earth in order for God to resume the prophetic program on Earth.

WHAT THE MAJORITY TEACHES ON THE SUBJECT OF MODERN-DAY BIBLE PROPHECY

Many people in the religious crowd talk about Bible prophecy being fulfilled today. Most commonly, they point to Israel’s founding as a modern state in 1948 and declare it a fulfillment of Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. (What they do not seem to realize is that Israel is still lost and Christ-rejecting. The Israel today is of man’s creation. It is not the work of God and not the Israel of God. When God brings Israel back into power as a nation, and He will do so one day, Israel will be saved and brought into the land not lost Israelites being brought into the land!)

People often use the Old Testament passages and talk about how God is judging America today for its sins (2 Chronicles 7:14 is commonly seen as the solution). Some use passages in the book of the Revelation to set dates as to when Jesus Christ will return in wrath. They talk about current political, religious, and economic events as though they are the signs of the Antichrist’s coming and the other signs of the times. They go to Matthew chapter 24 and put all these events into our Dispensation of Grace. We are urged to look at the wars, famines, diseases, pestilences, earthquakes, et cetera today and recognize them as fulfillment of Jesus’ Second Sermon on the Mount. They want to say that a part (or sometimes all) of these prophecies were fulfilled in A. D. 70 when Rome overran Jerusalem and destroyed her Temple.

The above people mean well (hopefully). Many of them may be saved individuals, Holy-Spirit-sealed people, genuine members of the Body of Christ, who have simply been misled by church tradition. Honestly, I think they are usually trying to prove the Bible to the skeptics. It is exciting to place ourselves on the prophetic timeline and declare, “What Jesus predicted is happening today! Look at this, look at that… the budding of the fig tree [referring to Israel in 1948], the Jews returning to the land of Palestine in airplanes chartered by Christians, the wars and rumors of wars, famines, diseases, and earthquakes, the moon turning to blood, the sun being darkened, et cetera… look at these signs that Jesus’ return is right upon us!” (For a more fuller treatment of a current example of this, see our study, “Should I be concerned about the four ‘blood’ moons?,” linked at the end of this study.)

WHY IT MATTERS – TEACHINGS ABOUT PROPHECY BEING FULFILLED IN THE MYSTERY PROGRAM ARE “PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS”

So, why should we reject the notion that Bible prophecy is occurring in the mystery program? Does it even matter? After all, so many people believe prophecy is being fulfilled today. Why not just “go with the flow?” The prophecy preachers and “scholars” overwhelmingly agree that prophecy is being fulfilled today. (It may be that they are trying to prove the Bible, but I believe it is largely done to hype up people and sell books and television programming.) For example, someone may say to me, “It really does not matter if some Bible prophecy is being fulfilled today. What is the harm in saying prophecy is currently being fulfilled? Are we not proving the Bible?” Great question!

Remember, those in 2 Timothy 2:18—Hymanaeus and Philetus—erred. How did they blunder? The Bible says they mixed prophecy and mystery! They did not “rightly divide the word of truth” as verse 15 instructed. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15-18: “[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”

Hymanaeus and Philetus claimed that the resurrection of Christians (the rapture) had already happened. Note that they did not deny resurrection, they just misplaced it only the Bible timeline. By teaching that, they had already overthrown the faith of some. They made Christians believe they were now living in the seven-year Tribulation period, making those Christians doubt they had even been saved from that wrath in the first place. A similar false teaching had begun to trouble and corrupt the Thessalonians—see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. If we say that prophecy is being fulfilled today, that would automatically place us into the prophetic program. That has dangerous doctrinal implications.

If prophecy were occurring today, that would mean that the rapture already happened, and since we are still on Earth and not in heaven, that would mean that we were never saved. When we say prophecy is being fulfilled today, the natural conclusion is the belief that we are now living in the seven-year Tribulation. Do you see how a major doctrinal problem has now arisen just by making the innocent-looking statement, “The Bible is true because we can see it being fulfilled all around us?” By “proving the Bible to be true,” we have caused much fear and doubt in the minds of Christians.

We will let 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 correct our thinking: “[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” The Antichrist is being withheld today; he has not been revealed yet. The chief person of prophecy has not yet made his appearance in the world. Why? There is something hindering the prophetic program from operating! Our Dispensation of Grace and the Church the Body of Christ are the means whereby the Holy Spirit prevents prophecy from resuming! “[13] But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: [14] Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” From the beginning of our dispensation, we—the Church the Body of Christ—have been saved from the time of Jacob’s trouble, Daniel’s 70th week, God’s wrath during the seven-year Tribulation (the resuming of prophecy)!

By saying prophetic is being fulfilled today, we would thus miss the importance of keeping prophecy and mystery separate. We would begin to doubt our salvation, we would move away from Paul’s epistles, we would drift from our identity in Christ, we would cast doubt on many critical Bible passages, and so on. In other words, it would cause mass confusion in the minds of so many Christians (as if they are not confused enough!).

CONCLUSION

In their “zeal” to prove the Bible with so-called “modern-day Scriptural prophecies,” sensationalistic people challenge and destroy its dispensational layout and clarity. They are not handling the Bible dispensationally. Such denominational hype sells books and television programming but it is not sound Bible teaching. In short, it is not handling God’s Word properly. It is simply making the Scriptures confusing to an already-confused public. Preachers may do it, but never does Paul tell us to be looking for signs of the Antichrist. In fact, never does the Holy Spirit through Paul tell us to look for “signs of the end times” as the Lord Jesus did with Israel in Matthew chapter 24. The Bible says “the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22a). What are we Gentiles doing looking for signs? Do we not have the completed Bible to confirm God’s Word to us? Is the Body of Christ to be looking for “signs?” Of course not! We are the first people in the history of God’s dealings with man, to have a complete Bible, a written and finalized canon of 66 divinely-inspired books, so why do we need yet another revelation from God? (Those who say, “Look for God’s revelation in the heavens!” probably have not even read and believed all of the revelations of God He has given in the written Holy Bible!)

Remember, we turn to Paul’s epistles to learn what God is doing today. Paul discusses prophecy—such as in Romans chapters 9-11 and 2 Thessalonians chapter 2—but he never tells us to look for prophetic events. He gave these prophetic passages in order to show us we are not a part of them—they all deal with Israel, Israel, Israel, and Israel’s program, Israel’s program, Israel’s program. We are not to be looking for or trying to identify the Antichrist. We are not to be concerned about accepting his mark or embracing his false religion. We should not be looking for God’s wrath or Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. We should not be looking for redeemed Israel. Why? The prophetic program is on hold. It is not suspended forever, but it is suspended now. We know this because the next event on the prophetic timeline was wrath, and that divine judgment was stayed (delayed) in order to save Saul of Tarsus and make him the Apostle Paul (see our study linked at the end, “Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?”). Instead, we are to be looking for Christ’s coming for His Church, us, commonly called the rapture (Titus 2:13). Once the rapture occurs, then Israel’s prophetic program will resume and God will bring it to fruition. We can be sure of that!

Also see:
» Why was Saul of Tarsus’ name changed to Paul?
» Should I be concerned about the four “blood” moons?
» Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, How could Peter interpret Scripture in Acts 1:16-20?, How could Peter interpret Scripture in Acts 1:16-20?, THE NATION ISRAEL

How could Peter interpret Scripture in Acts 1:16-20?

HOW COULD PETER INTERPRET SCRIPTURE IN ACTS 1:16-20?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Holy Spirit did not come upon the apostles until Acts chapter 2, or 10 days after Christ’s literal, physical, visible resurrection. There was no indwelling Spirit of God in Acts chapter 1, so how could the Apostle Peter know two verses in Psalms applied to Judas? That used to puzzle me for the longest time, until I found some verses that clarified it for me. We will read the verses in Acts chapter 1 first, then proceed to the book of Psalms, and finally we will reveal the fascinating answer.

We read in Acts 1:15-20: “[15] And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) [16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. [17] For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. [18] Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. [19] And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. [20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.”

Now we look at the two verses in Psalms that Peter quoted in verse 20 above:

  • Circa 1000 years before Christ, David wrote in Psalm 69:25: “Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.” (Acts 1:20a: “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein.”)
  • Circa 1000 years before Christ, David wrote in Psalm 109:8: “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” (Acts 1:20b: “For it is written in the book of Psalms, … and his bishoprick let another take.”)

A Jew living in the centuries before Jesus Christ came in the flesh, would have never had the understanding that Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 were talking about a friend of Jesus betraying Him. Yet, it seems strange that Peter would take these two verses and apply them to Judas Iscariot. What made Peter understand that David was writing about Judas in these two verses? How did Peter know that Psalm 69 and Psalm 109 were Messianic? That is, how did Peter know these two chapters contained prophetic glimpses of events in Christ’s earthly ministry? (Remember, there was no Holy Spirit yet to give them Bible understanding.) Two passages and we will conclude.

Luke chapter 24, post-resurrection, Jesus Christ gave His disciples a Bible study. Verses 44-46 relate: “[44] And he [the Lord Jesus Christ] said unto them [His apostles and disciples], These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. [45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, [46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:….” And now, the companion verse, Acts 1:3: “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”

How could Peter interpret the book of Psalms in Acts chapter 1, if the Holy Spirit was not given until Acts chapter 2? Friends, it is quite simple. Jesus Christ spent 40 days after His resurrection teaching His apostles and disciples the various Old Testament prophecies that had just been fulfilled during those last three years. Imagine a 40-day-long Bible conference with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as the Teacher! By the time it concluded, and Christ had ascended into heaven, Peter had enough spiritual insight into the Old Testament—in this case, the book of Psalms—that he knew which “obscure” passages were really predictions of what Judas would do centuries later.

CONCLUSION – WHY IT MATTERS

While the Holy Spirit was not present on Earth until Acts chapter 2, Jesus Christ had spent 40 days post-resurrection giving Bible understanding to His Little Flock. The book of Luke and the book of Acts both confirm that Jesus Christ explained the various Old Testament Scriptures that had just been fulfilled concerning Him. Peter quoted two of these verses in Acts chapter 1. Peter did not have the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten him yet, but the Lord Jesus had given a lot of insight into the Old Testament. Peter knew, according to Psalms, that Judas was now permanently out of the picture. Psalms had also taught Peter that they would have to appoint a twelfth apostle to take Judas’ now-vacated office. This is important, since Peter is often criticized today for appointing Matthias instead of waiting for Paul to replace Judas. Paul could not have taken Judas’ position for several major reasons (see our study linked below). Most importantly, Peter knew that they would have to fill the spot now, and Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was still a lost man at that time of Acts chapter 1. Peter knew that the Holy Spirit would be coming in less than 10 days, and that twelfth apostle needed to be present and ordained. Evidently, Jesus Christ had made that clear to them in those 40 days.

Also see:
» Who was Judas’ replacement—Matthias or Paul?
» Did Judas die forgiven?
» Does Matthew 19:27-28 prove Judas went to heaven?