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DENOMINATIONS, CULTS, & FALSE TEACHING, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, How does Satan operate today?, How does Satan operate today?, How does Satan operate today?, SATAN AND HIS POLICY OF EVIL

How does Satan operate today?

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HOW DOES SATAN OPERATE TODAY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“My question is about Satan and his ‘abilities’ today. I know people in biblical times were possessed with demons… but why and how? And then, is Satan able to possess bodies today? He is not omniscient, but what are his limitations in influencing people today? Can he know our thoughts, can he physically hurt us, does he fly, change his form (human body, animal, object)? And then once he is bound for 1000 years, he is set free for a season. Why? Will that mean he could harm the kingdom on earth?”

Thank you for these questions. While much could be said about each topic, thus forming several individual Bible study articles, I think it best to briefly answer your inquiries one-by-one in a single “short,” concise article. Let us search the Scriptures for the answers.

DEVIL POSSESSION

“I know people in biblical times were possessed with demons…but why and how? And then, is Satan able to possess bodies today?” We will look at this issue first.

If you have ever read through the Bible from cover to cover, you likely noticed that there is a “spike” of devil possessions beginning with Jesus’ earthly ministry—little is said about devils (evil spirits) operating in and through people in the Old Testament Scriptures. In the books of Matthew through John, we read of several instances of devil possession and exorcism. Satan was actively opposing the establishment of God’s earthly kingdom. The Devil knew that as long as he possessed Jews, as long as he controlled Jews, the Holy Land would be defiled, Israel could not be God’s people in the earth, and God could not use Israel for His purposes (that is, to establish His earthly kingdom through them).

One prophecy associated with Jesus Christ’s earthly kingdom is that there will be no evil spirits in the land (on the Earth, but particularly in the Holy Land). Zechariah 13:1-2 says: “[1] In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. [2] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.” Satan is the chief of evil spirits, and all of the evil spirits will be removed from Earth and confined in the bottomless pit during that 1000-Year Reign of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:1-6). (More on this later.)

The way that Jesus Christ demonstrated that He was Messiah/Christ was to cast out devils, a confirmation of the kingdom being at hand, to validate the Gospel message He Himself was preaching and the Gospel He was commanding His apostles to preach (Matthew 10:7-8). Luke 8:1 says, “And it came to pass afterward, that [Jesus] went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him….” Jesus said in Matthew 12:28, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39 involves the Gadarene, a devil-possessed man who lived a most bizarre lifestyle. You are strongly urged to read these passages on your own; I can only briefly summarize those verses here. The Gadarene lived amongst tombs, he howled, cut himself with stones, wore no clothes, and had bursts of amazing strength that enabled him to break chains. Notice how Jesus addressed the unclean spirit in the Gadarene, “What is thy name?,” and how the spirit responded, “My name is Legion: for we are many” (Mark 5:9). There were actually many unclean spirits within this man, so his condition was very serious. Verse 10 is particularly noteworthy: “And he [the unclean spirit] besought him [Jesus] much that he would not send them [all the unclean spirits possessing the Gadarene] away out of the country.” Again, the unclean spirit admitted that they (the other unclean spirits) preferred to stay in the land of Israel. If Jesus was to cast them out of the man, they at least wanted to possess the swine of the land. Those unclean spirits knew the torments of hell, and they did not want to be thrown into it! In the companion verse, we read: “And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep” (Luke 8:31).

Understandably, these evil spirits did not want to go to hell, but why do they want to stay in Israel’s land? Why did not want to be sent “out of the country?” Pay attention to how that chief evil spirit addressed Jesus as “thou Son of God most high” (Luke 8:28) and “thou Son of the most high God” (Mark 5:7). The title “most High God” implies “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19,22). Satan originally desired to be “like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14)—the Devil wants to rule heaven and earth. In order to prevent Jesus Christ’s kingdom from being established on earth, Satan had possessed the nation Israel (which was to be God’s chief nation on earth; Exodus 19:5,6; Deuteronomy 7:6,7; Isaiah 2:1-4; et al.). Why did these unclean spirits not want to leave the land of Israel? As per Satan’s command, these devils knew that their job was to maintain strongholds—or footholds—in Israel, that God’s earthly kingdom not be set up. Hence, Jesus Christ told apostate Israel, “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20). The Gadarene was a picture/symbol of the nation Israel in satanic bondage, and Messiah Jesus was proving to Israel that he could deliver them from spiritual/satanic/sin’s bondage.

God is forming the Church the Body of Christ today, a people to use for His glory in the heavens. God is not forming an earthly people, Israel, and He is not trying to reclaim Earth (He did that in the past before our dispensation, and He will do that after our dispensation). Satan knows that the battle today is not really focused on the earth, but on God’s purpose and plan for the heavens. Thus, Satan has adjusted his tactics; Satan attacks the Body of Christ instead of Israel today. While the Apostle Paul never talks about devil possession in his epistles, and the Holy Spirit through him never instructs us to exorcise anyone, he does warn about satanic deception (more on this later).

WHAT ABOUT SATAN AND “SHAPESHIFTING?”

We will now look at your question, “Can Satan change form—like turn himself into a human, an animal, or an object, etc.?” When Satan appeared to Eve back in Genesis chapter 3, he took on the form of a handsome man, someone who physically and verbally captivated Eve. To cause her to eat the forbidden fruit, Satan used enticing words and placed Eve under some kind of spell, for 1 Timothy 2:14 says Eve was deceived. The same kind of language—“bewitched”—is used to describe Satan utilizing false religion to deceive people (Galatians 3:1). When Scripture refers to Satan as a “serpent” (Genesis 3:1), it describes his nature, not his physical appearance; Eve having a conversation with a literal reptile-snake seems unlikely. Paul wrote that Satan was a “serpent” in the sense of subtilty, sneakiness, trickery (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; cf. Revelation 12:9). Even today, we use the metaphor “snake in the grass” to describe “a treacherous or deceitful person.”

The only few other accounts I recall in Scripture where Satan personally appeared before someone was in Job chapters 1 and 2, Matthew chapter 4 (companion passage is Luke chapter 4), Jude 9, and Revelation 12:7-10. Scripture does not give us any description of how Satan physically looked in these passages. What we should know is that Satan is a spirit creature; he was seen only when he wanted himself to be seen (as with Eve, or with Christ). Besides Eve and Jesus Christ, I know of no others who personally met Satan in some type of physical body.

Nothing in Paul’s epistles warns us to be aware of physical satanic appearances; the way Satan operates today is by using false doctrine, invisible operations (to be discussed in our next section). The Scriptures affirm that Satan can and does “transform himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15); his nature and works can and do appear very innocent, very godly, albeit they are counterfeit and deceptive. Just as Satan’s “ministers of righteousness” misled people in time past, so they do today. During His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ had more rebukes for Israel’s religious leaders than for any other one group. Satan is a very shrewd individual; someone who knows how to operate and avoid being discovered most of the time. The Devil still uses corrupt religious leaders, people whose spiritual wickedness is rarely detected.

WHAT ARE SATAN’S LIMITATIONS IN INFLUENCING PEOPLE TODAY?

These are not clearly delineated in Scripture, but here is what the Scriptures say about that matter….

The Devil used a false prophet to attempt to physically hinder the Apostle Paul from reaching a Gentile with the Gospel (see Acts 13:6-12). Satan used a mysterious “thorn in the flesh” to discourage Paul and physically disrupt God’s ministry through him (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). We will see more about this later.

Primarily, Satan’s goal is to use false religion (works-religion), counterfeit miracles, counterfeit Bible versions, false brethren, false ministers, et cetera, to influence (deceive) people, whether saved or lost. The Devil wants to distract people away from God’s truth for today. Recall how he distracted Eve and the Galatians!

The Holy Spirit through Paul warned in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4: “[3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” The way Satan operates today is to use non-dispensational Bible study, to make us focus on the Gospel that Paul did not preach, to make us focus on the Jesus Christ whom Paul did not preach, and to make us focus on the spirit that Paul did not preach.

Satan wants us to ignore the Jesus Christ whom Paul preached, “the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:16), and instead focus on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, which was not to us Gentiles (Romans 15:8; cf. Matthew 15:24). Satan wants us to ignore the “spirit”/attitude/viewpoint of the grace of God that Paul preached (Romans 6:14-15; Romans 8:15), and instead observe the “spirit” of the Law as means of Christian living (Galatians 3:1-3). Satan wants us to ignore the Gospel of God’s Grace of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, and cause us to believe some other Gospel for salvation (such as Acts 2:38).

Colossians 2:8 says, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Satan will use philosophy, church tradition, and secular “wisdom” to mislead us. We must be careful! Rather than dispensational Bible study, these very systems/schools of religious are often used in most churches and Bible colleges to “explain” (confuse) the Bible.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, speaking of his current ministry serving the Lord Jesus Christ at the Apostle of the Gentiles, and admitting how he had given up his prior ministry (as a lost man, the Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus) of serving Satan in a corrupt Judaistic system: “[1] Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; [2] But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” Even today, there are people in religion who “walk in craftiness,” those “handling the word of God deceitfully.” May we not be fooled!

Colossians 2:18 warns, “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind….” Satan wants us to focus on angels instead of Jesus Christ—such is the case of “angelic appearances,” “apparitions,” “Holy Ghost encounters,” and all the other supernatural phenomena religion often discusses today. Again, we must be careful! Idolatry can take even the subtlest forms, but the student grounded in God’s Word rightly divided will withstand such duplicity.

And 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;…” Satan has preachers (“spirits,” as in voices, speaking; see 2 Thessalonians 2:8 for an example) who speak “doctrines of devils.” Verses 3-5 talk about forced celibacy for religious purposes and abstaining from certain meats/foods for religious purposes as being “doctrines of devils.” These would be some of the teachings Satan would advocate.

Finally, we look at 2 Corinthians 4:3-4: “[3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Satan blinds people by having them focus on works-religion instead of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. They really believe they can do enough religious works of measure up to God’s standard of righteousness. All they are really doing is causing themselves to be under a curse, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written [Deuteronomy 27:26], Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). “The law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15). James 2:10 summarizes, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

The major disadvantage of a performance-based acceptance system—“do good and God will bless you”—is that you have to perform 100 percent perfectly to be blessed of God, and sin always makes us fall short of absolute righteousness. Jesus Christ came to “redeem us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree…” (Galatians 3:13). The Lord Jesus came to die for our sins, to die in our place, to receive the curse that we sinners deserve. He took our punishment, that when we trust in Him and His finished crosswork alone, we can have His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21)!

Paul’s advice to Timothy, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, is how we escape Satan’s trap of religious deception: “[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” We are to acknowledge that Paul is our apostle (Romans 11:13). Our doctrine, duty, walk, and destiny as members of the Church the Body of Christ are in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. These are words of God to us. We study all of the Bible, for it is all God’s Word; but, God’s Word to and about us is Romans through Philemon.

The Scriptures say some Christian women had “already turned aside after Satan” (1 Timothy 5:15) by not heeding the doctrine presented in the earlier verses (which see for yourself).

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes, tricks] of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We have only mentioned some of Satan’s schemes against we need to guard ourselves! Again, we need to have a constant dispensational approach to Scripture, a continual contemplation on those verses of the Word of God rightly divided. This is how we guard ourselves from Satan’s error and our spiritual ruin.

CAN SATAN KNOW OUR THOUGHTS?

No. Nowhere in the Bible do we read about Satan knowing our thoughts.

CAN SATAN PHYSICALLY HARM US?

Satan himself is not trying to harm us physically; his main goal is to harm us spiritually. Sinful people (unbelievers), those who cooperate with Satan, are very antagonistic toward Jesus Christ and His Word, and those sinners are more than willing to do Satan’s bidding. Throughout the book of Acts, Satan physically attacked the Apostles of Israel, and the Apostle Paul and his ministry associates, by having unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles imprison them, beat them, kill them, discredit their message, discourage them, et cetera (see Acts chapters 4, 5, 7, 9, 12-14, 16-19, 21-25, and 26). Paul makes reference to being hindered from visiting the Roman believers (Romans 1:13) and Satan hindered Paul from visiting the Thessalonian Christians at least twice (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Satan might have accomplished this by using corrupt political and/or religious leaders.

Again, what Satan mostly concentrates on is trying to harm us spiritually, whether Christians or lost people. Satan’s main goal was to destroy Israel, and he would do that by using false religion, pagan idolatry, corrupt priests and prophets, et cetera. Even today, we have to be vigilant concerning his “wiles” (schemes); he will attack us with false doctrine as he did regarding Israel of old. This is why Christendom is so confused!

See Romans 8:35-39, where it asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Satan is an individual who will use difficult circumstances to cause us to believe God does not love us.

Satan will also use the spirit of bitterness and/or an unforgiving spirit to divide and conquer Christians; he tried to do that in Corinth, which Paul warned against. See 2 Corinthians 2:10-11: “[10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; [11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” While Satan will not physically harm us, he can use a bitter spirit to cause us to physically harm others! “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

DOES SATAN FLY?

The Scriptures say that Lucifer (the name of Satan before his fall) was “the anointed cherub” that covered God’s throne in the third heaven (Ezekiel 28:14,16). Cherubim (plural) are spirit creatures that have wings—Lucifer was the fifth cherub around God’s throne, but after his fall, only four cherubim remained around God’s throne (see Ezekiel 1:5-28; Ezekiel 10:1-22; Revelation 4:6-9). In the first and second chapters of Job, we read about when the angels (“sons of God”) presented themselves to God (for accountability). The Bible says that Satan came in among them and told God that he had been “walking to and fro in the earth” (Job 1:7; cf. Job 2:2). Obviously, Satan and the angels are meeting God in outer space, and Satan surely has the ability to travel between Earth and extraterrestrial locations. Keep in mind that Satan is a spirit creature, so he cannot be seen with human eyes—he exists in a dimension outside of ours. Spirit creatures (both God’s angels and Satan’s angels) have the ability to travel in ways we cannot fully understand (they are not bound by speed, time, space, et cetera).

SATAN AND THE MILLENNIUM

From time immemorial, humans have blamed the Devil whenever they have committed evil deeds. “The Devil made me do it” is a common excuse sinners use to shift the blame to someone other than themselves. As mentioned earlier, one of the prophecies associated with Jesus Christ’s earthly kingdom is that there will be no evil spirits in the land (on the Earth). Please re-read Zechariah 13:1-2: “[1] In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. [2] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.” Satan and all of the other evil spirits will be confined in the bottomless pit during that 1000-Year Reign of Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:1-6). Mankind will see that he is still opposed to God, and does not need Satan’s influence to sin; mankind’s flesh commits enough sin on its own without having the Devil “tempt” it.

Why is Satan released after the 1000 years? Interesting question! Revelation 20:7-10 will shed some light on the subject for us: “[7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, [8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. [9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. [10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

Those who will be born during the 1000-year kingdom will not have (as of yet) made a clear decision to follow Jesus Christ or to follow Satan. In order to fully exercise the free will of those future generations, God will loose Satan at the end of the Millennium to see who will follow him to his doom and who will remain faithful to Jesus Christ. It is the same reason why Satan was allowed to exist in the first place—God did not destroy Satan when he fell into sin but rather permitted Satan’s lie program to fit into His plan of allowing man’s free will. With Satan active, mankind has a person to follow, another plan to follow (Satan’s), a plan other than the God of the Bible and His plan for creation.

As we just read in Revelation 20:7-10, once Satan deceives and gathers the nations around the city of Jerusalem (at the end of the 1000-Year Reign of Christ), fire comes down from heaven and devours him and his armies. Satan is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Satan will not really harm the kingdom; in His wisdom, the Lord God will use Satan to purge the kingdom of unbelievers, so that only believers remain and go into the New Heaven New Earth.

Dear reader, I hope that now you better understand Satan and his policy of evil as it relates to us today. Again, while much could be said, I trust this will whet your appetite to search and see for yourself—do not take it from me.

Also see:
» Why does God let Satan exist?
» Where in the Bible did God give Satan domain over the Earth?
» Why do the wicked prosper? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)

Could you please clarify Ephesians 2:18-22?, Could you please clarify Ephesians 2:18-22?, Could you please clarify Ephesians 2:18-22?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING, THE NATION ISRAEL

Could you please clarify Ephesians 2:18-22?

COULD YOU PLEASE CLARIFY EPHESIANS 2:18-22?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“If the church began [with] Paul’s conversion why is it that in Ephesians 2:18-22 the apostles were included in the Body of Christ? The words ‘fellow citizens’ show that other believers are included. And aside from that, Ephesians 2:13-14 tells us that the body was created at the cross & through the death of Christ on the cross.” Thank you for these great questions; let us see what the Holy Spirit says in His Holy Word.

Before commenting, we should read Ephesians 2:18-22: “[18] For through him [Jesus Christ] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Firstly, you made a good observation in remarking that Ephesians 2:19 has the phrase “fellowcitizens with the saints.” The noun “fellowcitizens” would refer to us (members of the Church the Body of Christ), while the noun “saints” would be those who were saved unto eternal life prior to us. Those saved prior to the beginning of the Church the Body of Christ would be the members of Israel’s believing remnant—Israel’s 12 apostles, and all the other members of her “little flock” (Luke 12:32), all Jews who had trusted Jesus as Messiah-King. However, redeemed Israel and the Body of Christ are two separate entities; they are all citizens of the kingdom of God of the Bible, but they still belong to two unique bodies of believers.

The Bible says we Gentile Christians “are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). We Gentiles used to be cut off from the God of Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12), but now, we who were far off are made nigh (near) to God by Jesus Christ’s shed blood at Calvary (Ephesians 2:13). According to 1 Corinthians 12:13, we are made nigh to Father God by the Holy Spirit placing us into the Church the Body of Christ (whose formation is discussed in Ephesians 2:13 onward into chapter 3, verse 11). The purpose of God forming the Church the Body of Christ is revealed elsewhere in Paul’s epistle to Ephesus.

Let us read Ephesians 1:9-10: “[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” God had a will, a purpose, in creation, but He did not reveal “the mystery [secret] of His will” until the Apostle Paul. In other words, prior to Paul, God only made known some of His will; God had a secret will that He did not reveal until Paul. This secret will involved a secret family of God, another aspect of His kingdom. (We will discuss this more later.)

With Paul’s ministry and the completion of God’s revelation to man through Paul, we learn that Father God wanted His Son Jesus Christ to head the governments of heaven and earth. This goes back to the first verse of the Bible (Genesis 1:1) and is cross-referenced in Ephesians 1:10, Ephesians 3:15, and Colossians 1:20. We will take some time to look at Ephesians 3:15 and Colossians 1:20.

Colossians 1:16-20 explains: “[16] For by him [Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: [17] And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. [19] For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; [20] And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Currently, Satan has defiled heaven (Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12) and earth (2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 1:4) with sin. Satan wanted to rule heaven and earth, he wanted to be “like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14); he wanted to be “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19,22). Overall, God wants to form two agencies—two groups of His children—to restore His authority in heaven and earth, to have Jesus Christ glorified in heaven and in earth, to combat and subdue the rebellion that Satan has caused in heaven and in earth. We should view Ephesians 3:15 in this light.

Please note Ephesians 3:14-15 now: “…the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named….” God’s kingdom, God’s household, God’s family is made up of people in heaven and people on earth (refer back to Ephesians 2:19). God’s kingdom—the realm over which He rules—can be divided into two bodies, the nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ. Israel is God’s earthly people (Exodus 19:5-6; Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5; Revelation 5:10) and the Church the Body of Christ is God’s heavenly people (2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6-7; 2 Timothy 4:18). All believers in the Scriptures—whether Adam (those saved before our dispensation), or those saved during our dispensation, or those Christians saved after our dispensation—they are all members of God’s family (otherwise they would be lost, part of Satan’s family). However, only those saved in our Dispensation, the Dispensation of Grace, are members of the Church the Body of Christ. To those prior to the Apostle Paul, God revealed information about His earthly family (that would be the nation Israel). To Paul, God revealed information about His heavenly family (that would be the Church the Body of Christ). This is how we should view Ephesians 1:9-10.

To make the 12 apostles of Israel a part of the Body of Christ would get rid of the nation Israel. The nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ will always remain separate entities. Israel will always be made of Jews only, whereas the Church the Body of Christ is made up of neither Jews nor Gentiles but people who are “new creatures in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). God will always have a people to rule in heaven for His glory and a people to rule earth for His glory. There is always the necessity of the division between heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1), so there must always be a division between God’s heavenly people (the Church the Body of Christ) and God’s earthly people (the nation Israel). These are some basic conclusions that dispensational Bible study leads us to form.

Now, we move on to your question about when the Church the Body of Christ was formed.

THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST BEGAN BY THE CROSS, NOT AT THE CROSS

While it is definitely true that Jesus Christ’s shed blood makes the Church the Body of Christ possible (Ephesians 2:13), the Church the Body of Christ did not begin at Calvary. In fact, we still see the Jew and Gentile distinction after Calvary—after Calvary, there is still the distinction between Jew and Gentile (see Luke 24:47; Acts 2:5,14,22,29,36; Acts 3:25-26; Acts 5:30-31; et cetera). Remember, according to Ephesians 2:11-12, if there is a distinction between Jew and Gentile, it is not the Body of Christ, and it is not God’s current dealings with mankind.

Please do not misread Ephesians 2:16 as some do: “And that he might reconcile both [Jew and Gentile, verses 11-12] in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.” It was by the cross—not at the cross—that God formed the one new man. The Body of Christ is dependent upon the crosswork of Jesus Christ, but it did not begin at the cross. The distinction—the animosity—between Jew and Gentile was not settled until after Calvary, not at Calvary.

We read in Galatians 5:6: “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” And Galatians 6:15: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

The Holy Spirit through Paul wrote those two above verses, but they were not true in time past, prior to the Body of Christ. They are true today, but they were not true prior to Paul; the distinction between Jew and Gentile existed before Paul’s conversion and ministry. However, God has now rescinded that distinction. There is no mistake in the Bible—it is just a change in program. It did matter to be a Jew in time past, for Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry was to Jews only (Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Acts 2:22; Romans 9:5; Romans 15:8). Today, there is the “new creature,” the “one new man,” the Church the Body of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:15), and in the Body of Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:28).

WHO ARE THE “APOSTLES AND PROPHETS” OF EPHESIANS 2:20 AND EPHESIANS 3:5?

In order to blur the glaring distinctions between Paul’s ministry and Peter’s ministry, between Israel’s believing remnant and the Church the Body of Christ, it has been postulated that we are built on the ministries of Israel’s 12 apostles. Ephesians 2:20 is believed to teach such a doctrine. It is asserted that Ephesians 3:5 says that the 12 apostles had the same revelation from God that the Lord Jesus Christ gave to the Apostle Paul. Before we assume anything, we need to look at the verses, especially within their contexts.

We return to Ephesians 2:18-22: “[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

We read a parallel passage in Ephesians 3:1-6: “[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:….”

In order to shed light on these two passages, we need to simply look at chapter 4 of Ephesians: “[8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. [9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:….”

Ephesians 4:11 says that these would be apostles and prophets Paul wrote of were ordained after Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven. This could not be Peter and the 11 because they were ordained before Jesus Christ even died, some three years before He ascended into heaven. Regarding the “apostles and prophets” of Ephesians 2:19-22 and Ephesians 3:1-6, these would not be Israel’s apostles and prophets (as some allege), for even the Apostle Peter did not understand everything in Paul’s doctrines (2 Peter 3:15-16). The apostles and prophets of Ephesians 2:20 and Ephesians 3:5 are those apostles and prophets associated with Paul’s ministry (see Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; Acts 14:14; 1 Corinthians 12:10,28-29). These apostles and prophets were members of the Body of Christ—not the nation Israel—and they were instrumental in God forming the Church the Body of Christ. These apostles and prophets associated with Paul’s ministry spoke the grace doctrines of Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, before they were written down in a completed Bible (see Ephesians 4:11-13). The apostles and prophets are not the foundation; Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, is the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). The apostles’ and prophets’ preaching Jesus Christ “according to the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25-26), the message they preached about Jesus Christ, is the foundation on which we are built—Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, buried to put away our sins, and raised again to justify us before Almighty God (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 4:24-25).

The ascended Lord Jesus Christ revealed the doctrines first to Paul, and then the Holy Spirit used Paul to reveal the doctrines to everyone else (including us). Peter and the 11 learned of Paul’s special ministry and the wisdom committed to Paul by listening to Paul preach in Galatians chapter 2 and Acts chapter 15.

You should pay close attention to Galatians 2:6-9: “[6] But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: [7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; [8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles: ) [9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”

Through Paul’s writing and preaching ministry, the Holy Spirit manifested the grace doctrines. We find those doctrines recorded in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

CONCLUSION: THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST (NOW AND IN THE AGES TO COME)

We read again in Ephesians 2:20-22: “[20] And [we] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Having briefly discussed our corporal purpose in chapters 1 and 2 (which we did briefly earlier), and he will do so further in chapter 3, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God’s will for us before He installs us to serve Him in the heavenly places, is to put us His Holy Spirit within us (that happens at the moment of salvation from sins unto eternal life, and this indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to function as God’s children, and by faith we work with Him to accomplish His will).

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:19: “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” And again, 2 Corinthians 6:16: “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Finally, 2 Timothy 1:14: “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” Today, God the Holy Ghost will use the Bible verses (grace-oriented doctrine, especially Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon) that we study and believe, to fill us with Jesus Christ’s life.

Galatians 2:20 tells us all about the Christian life: “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.” And Philippians 1:21: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Finally, Colossians 3:4: “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” A parallel passage is found in Philippians chapter 1: “[9] And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; [10] That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. [11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” It is by the Holy Spirit Himself that Jesus Christ Himself will produce in us good works. This, not us striving in religious works, is the key to victorious Christian living!

But, this life of Jesus Christ in us is not just meant to operate during our brief lifetime on planet Earth. God the Father’s plan is to use us forever for the purpose for which He created us in Christ Jesus—it goes well, well, well beyond this earthly life. Once we leave this planet, God has a whole new realm of operation for us to function (which is why we need new bodies; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Philippians 3:20-21). This is best understood by examining some more basic principles of right division, dispensational Bible study.

We briefly mentioned that the Bible’s first verse says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). As we stated earlier, God needs a body of individuals to execute His will in both realms (originally, these agencies were angels and mankind, respectively). When Lucifer/Satan polluted heaven with sin, and when Adam joined Satan and corrupted earth with sin, God began His two-fold plan to restore heaven and earth to Himself. Most of the Scriptures discuss God creating the nation Israel to function as His earthly people, but what about His restoration of the heavenly places? Like we stated earlier, God kept His plan for restoring heaven a secret until the Apostle Paul’s ministry (Ephesians 3:1-11).

Again, God already had the nation Israel’s believing remnant as His people, but that was just part of His will. Why is God forming the Church the Body of Christ? God the Holy Spirit through Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:19-22 and its context: “[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Now, God has revealed His secret will—heaven’s restoration (Ephesians 1:9,10). In Paul’s epistles alone, Romans through Philemon, we learn that God is currently creating a body that will fulfill His will in heaven (as Israel will fulfill His will in earth; note Matthew 6:10). God is forming the Body of Christ to be His dwelling-place, a body through which His life is to be lived now and forever (Ephesians 2:21,22)! Just as Jesus Christ will live His life in and through Israel on earth (Jeremiah 31:33,34; Matthew chapters 5-7; John 1:12; 2 Peter 1:3,4; et cetera), our grand reunion with our deceased brothers and sisters in Christ in heaven is just the beginning of God’s will for heaven.

God wants to fill us with His life now, and in the heavenly places, it will still be His life (albeit without our sinful flesh in the way, and the context will be the whole universe, not just earth like today!). Just imagine a local church assembly free from all doctrinal error and all sin. Via us, God will fill all of heaven with the life of His Son, Jesus Christ, and it will truly be a family enterprise, one that will literally transcend the endless ages to come!

Also see:
» When did the Church the Body of Christ begin?
» What is dispensational Bible study?
» Are we all God’s children?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Does 1 Corinthians 15:11 disprove dispensational Bible study?

Does 1 Corinthians 15:11 disprove dispensational Bible study?

DOES 1 CORINTHIANS 15:11 DISPROVE DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

In this study, I, a Bible-believing dispensationalist, will gladly address 1 Corinthians 15:11, a verse religionists use to deny dispensational Bible truths. Beloved, we should not and do not fear God’s truth; we eagerly teach, defend, and believe it. However, we must first read it… within its context. Anything else is “vain jangling,” empty chatter, worthless speech.

Anti-dispensationalists use various and sundry Bible verses in order to salvage traditional Bible interpretation. Lest the denominational doctrine—the church tradition—be lost, religious people openly rebel against God’s Word rightly divided. They look for any verses that even seem to hint at supporting a church tradition, and then they will immediately quote those verses. They might not understand what God is doing today, they may not understand how to be saved from their sins or where to find their doctrine in the Bible, but they certainly know what Bible verses to use to support their denomination and they quickly quote them. Such a mishandling of Scripture is sure to cause misery in this life, and unavoidable accountability to God in the next! Beloved, may we be ever so careful with God’s precious Word and the precious souls we impact with it.

Years ago, on social media, I noticed a “familiar name” posting anti-dispensational-Bible-study comments in a “religious forum.” What a strange incident! While still professing to be a “grace Bible teacher,” this person had already abandoned a local grace church, had already begun his own church, and had already launched a campaign to discourage people from using dispensational Bible study! In this particular instance, he was using 1 Corinthians 15:11, claiming that dispensationalists ignored it because it disproved their position. In his mind, the verse taught that Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel message (Galatians 1:23 is similarly misused as well), and he also argued that Peter had preached to Paul’s converts in Corinth. He completely ignored the context of the verse he was quoting. Such pathetic ignorance, such reckless words, especially since this man spent many years in a right-division grace church! Here, dear friend, I will gladly look at 1 Corinthians 15:11, and I will rejoice in its truth. I do hope that you can rejoice with me in the simplicity of God’s Word.

After outlining the Gospel of the Grace of God—“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, 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” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)—Paul begins his argument for the validity of Christ’s literal, physical, visible resurrection. He does this because some of the Corinthians were claiming that Jesus Christ did not arise from the dead. Verse 12 tells us: “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” The 58 verses of 1 Corinthians chapter 15 address the necessity of Jesus’ resurrection, with the concluding verses examining our future resurrection (commonly called “the Rapture,” when all members of the Body of Christ are redeemed physically, whether bodily resurrected [from the deceased in Christ] or bodily transformed [for the living in Christ]). Thus, the general context of 1 Corinthians 15:11 is the doctrine of bodily resurrection, especially that of Jesus Christ. This is the first key to understanding the meaning of the verse in question.

We want to now examine the verses that precede 1 Corinthians 15:11 to get a more in-depth grasp of the thought-flow of the discussion. After mentioning Jesus’ resurrection in verse 4, Paul lists the witnesses of that resurrection: “[5] And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: [6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. [7] After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. [8] And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. [9] For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. [11] Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.”

Our current discussion involves the last verse, “Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.” Having just read the previous verses, we know that the pronoun “I,” of course, is referring to the Apostle Paul; the pronoun “they” obviously signifies the 12 apostles of Israel mentioned in verses 5-7 (“Cephas,” “the twelve,” “James,” “all the apostles”); and the pronoun “ye” applies to the Corinthian believers. But, is 1 Corinthians 15:11 saying that Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel message? Does 1 Corinthians 15:11 mean that Israel’s 12 apostles preached that alleged “one Gospel” to the Corinthians? (While space does not permit an exhaustive explanation here, there are plenty of Bible verses that clearly distinguish Peter and Paul’s messages; please refer to our Bible study linked at the conclusion of this article. Here, in this study, we are focused on the question of the preaching of Peter and Paul as it relates to 1 Corinthians 15:11).

WHAT EXACTLY WERE PETER AND PAUL PREACHING IN 1 CORINTHIANS 15:11?

As noted earlier, Peter and Paul had two separate Gospel messages (again, this involves many verses to consider, so please see our study linked at the end of this article for more information). Still, there were some similarities between what Peter preached and Paul preached: they both preached Jesus Christ (Peter—Acts 2:22-38 et al.; Paul—Acts 13:23-41 et al.), they both preached He was the Son of God (Peter—Acts 3:26 et al.; Paul—Acts 9:20 et al.), they both preached He died for sins (Peter—1 Peter 1:18-19 et al.; Paul—1 Corinthians 15:3 et al.), and they both preached He resurrected (Peter—Acts 3:15 et al.; Paul—Acts 17:31 et al.). But, the meanings of these doctrines were different in those separate programs; stated another way, the specific implications of these doctrines with respect to the prophetic and mystery programs, were different. Considering the fact that 1 Corinthians 15:11 is situated in the Bible’s great resurrection chapter, what do you suppose Peter and Paul would be preaching together in verse 11? “Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.” It is not difficult to understand. Peter and Paul both preached Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

Whether it was Paul preaching the resurrection of Christ, or any of Israel’s apostles preaching the resurrection of Christ, the doctrine of physical resurrection was being preached (simply put, dear readers, that is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:11). Again, the preaching of Christ’s resurrection was not exclusive to Paul’s ministry, but it had one meaning in Israel’s program (her apostles’ preaching) and another meaning in our program (Paul and his associated apostles’ preaching). In light of the chapter, Paul was arguing that many people had witnessed Christ’s resurrection firsthand, and these witnesses were preaching Christ’s resurrection, so the Corinthians should not doubt that Jesus literally arose from the dead. They were to accept Jesus’ resurrection as a true, literal, historical event; in fact, they could even go interview firsthand many of the 500 witnesses (they were still living at the time)!

Regarding Israel’s program, the Bible quotes the Apostle Peter in Acts 2:29-32: “[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. [30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; [31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. [32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” The Apostle Peter and the 11 apostles of Israel preached that Jesus Christ was raised again to sit on David’s throne. Peter witnessed the resurrection of Christ firsthand, and he preached it (1 Corinthians 15:5,7).

When it comes to our program, the Apostle Paul preached in Romans 4:24-25: “[24] But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; [25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” The Apostle Paul preached Jesus Christ was “raised again for our justification,” resurrected to give us a right standing before God. Never once did Paul make reference to Jesus Christ being raised to sit on David’s throne. Paul met the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, and he preached Christ’s resurrection as well (1 Corinthians 15:8).

Israel’s apostles, particularly Peter, preached Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:24-32; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:10; Acts 10:40; 1 Peter 1:3,21; 1 Peter 3:18,21). Paul preached Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 13:30-37; Acts 17:3; Acts 25:19; Acts 26:23; Romans 1:3-4; Romans 4:24-25; et al.). Again, Christ’s resurrection was preached by both Israel’s apostles and Paul and apostles associated with his ministry, but the overall meaning of Christ’s resurrection differed in each program and message.

IS 1 CORINTHIANS 15:11 SAYING THAT ISRAEL’S TWELVE APOSTLES PREACHED IN CORINTH?

As I noted earlier, someone once attempted to use 1 Corinthians 15:11 to say that Peter and the 11 preached in Corinth. This individual desired to undermine Paul’s special ministry, to make Paul’s ministry the same as Peter’s ministry. Still, this individual and those who agree with him are on shaky theological ground, because they do not have one verse to support their interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15:11!

Save for Cornelius (Acts chapter 10), the Bible is clear that Peter had no ministry to Gentiles. In Acts chapter 15 (companion passage of Galatians chapter 2), Peter himself learned that he had no ministry to Gentiles anymore; he gathered that Paul was now God’s man to reach the lost Jews and lost Gentiles. Peter was not preaching to any Gentiles after Acts chapter 10, and there is nothing in Scripture to indicate Peter or any of Israel’s other apostles ever visited Corinth. The Scriptures actually indicate the opposite: “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision” (Galatians 2:9).

According to this verse, Apostles Peter, James, and John (Acts chapter 15 onward) confined their ministry to the “circumcision” (Israel’s believing remnant), and they agreed that Paul and Barnabas would go to the “heathen” (lost Jews and lost Gentiles). This is important because Paul first visited Corinth in Acts chapter 18. Thus, we see the 1-Corinthians 15:11-quoting-anti-dispensationalist was duplicitous, wresting the Scriptures to his own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16). By Acts chapter 15, Apostles Peter, James, and John had already confined their ministry to Israel’s little flock; Paul did not preach in Corinth until Acts chapter 18! Had Peter already converted the Corinthians, Paul would have no reason to preach 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 to them!

“Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed” is not referring to Peter and the 11 preaching to the Corinthians, but rather Peter and 11 preaching Christ’s resurrection in general. The point Paul is making here is Christ’s resurrection; it is not a defense of the ministry endeavors of the 12.

CONCLUSION

In summary, what Paul was saying in 1 Corinthians 15:11 is that both he and Israel’s apostles preached bodily resurrection as a true doctrine, and the Corinthians originally accepted/believed that doctrine as true in the form of the Gospel of Grace (Jesus died for our sins, buried, and resurrected; verses 3-4). Unfortunately, verse 12 says that some Corinthians were then misled to deny bodily resurrection (probably due to the pagan culture around them that denied it). Paul simply defended the doctrine of bodily resurrection by affirming that both he and Israel’s apostles preached it as true, and so they the Corinthians needed to embrace it as true, too.

Dear friends, before we attempt to defend a denomination, we need to remember that we should be loyal to God’s Word, the Holy Bible, and not try to undermine its layout by haphazardly selecting and quoting verses simply because they appeal to us. It will save us much heartache and misery if we not rob ourselves of the Bible’s clarity and enjoyment. After all, only God’s words will remain forever (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33)—denominational systems and the traditions of men will pass away!

Also see:
» Does not Acts 15:11 disprove dispensational Bible study?
» Did Peter and Paul preach the same Gospel?
» Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Do not Hebrews 13:8 and Malachi 3:6 disprove dispensational Bible study?, Do not Hebrews 13:8 and Malachi 3:6 disprove dispensational Bible study?

Do not Hebrews 13:8 and Malachi 3:6 disprove dispensational Bible study?

DO NOT HEBREWS 13:8 AND MALACHI 3:6 DISPROVE DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

In an extremely desperate attempt to salvage their denominational system, opponents of dispensational Bible study argue, “God never changes therefore His dealings with man never change.” They appeal to Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8 for Scriptural “support.” They certainly sound convicting when they quote, “For I am the LORD, I change not” and “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Still, we are not going to take two verses and just ignore the contexts. We will examine these two verses, as well as others, and let the Bible speak for itself.

MALACHI 3:6

If we read Malachi 3:6 in its entirety, which anti-dispensationalists rarely do for obvious reasons, it says: “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” All this verse means is that God is faithful; if God was as “faithful” as sinful Israel, He would have destroyed them long ago! Since God was, “The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:6-7), He had grace, mercy, and forgiveness for and toward Israel.

Malachi’s book primarily focuses on Israel’s corrupt priests, and it was because of God’s goodness that He tolerated that wickedness for that long (even after He had already scattered the nation Israel centuries before because of their pagan idolatry). The Prophet Jeremiah, writing about Jerusalem’s destruction and Judah’s dispersion amongst the Gentiles about 200 years prior to Malachi, “[22] It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Malachi 3:6 is thus interpreted for us: God is always faithful, and His faithfulness keeps sinners from being consumed by His righteous indignation and wrath.

HEBREWS 13:8

Rereading Hebrews 13:8, it says: “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” The context of the book of Hebrews is “the world to come” (2:5). During the seven-year Tribulation, the nation Israel will come under intense pressure and persecution. The Antichrist will be ruling, as well as slaughtering those who refuse to accept him as Messiah, instituting a false religious system that will resemble the Mosaic Law. We find these passages in the Bible books of Daniel, Matthew, Mark, Luke, 2 Thessalonians, and the Revelation.

Instead of using Hebrews 13:8 to advance our denominationalism, we simply let its context interpret it for us: “[5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. [6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. [7] Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. [8] Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

While Israel’s little flock hiding out in the wilderness will not enjoy unfathomable riches until Jesus Christ returns (His Second Coming), the writer of the book of Hebrews encourages them to be thankful for the basic necessities that JEHOVAH will meet out in the wilderness (Matthew 6:24-34; Luke 12:22-34; Revelation 12:6,14). Just as Moses told Israel (Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 31:6,8), just as God told Joshua (Joshua 1:5,9), and just as David told Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:20), JEHOVAH, even in disappointing circumstances, will never disappoint because He will never leave or forsake His people. Jesus Christ, whether in the Old Testament, or the New, He will never forsake His people. He is just as faithful today, and He was yesterday, and as He will be tomorrow. God never changes, but His dealings with man change because man changes.

SUPPLEMENTAL: FOUR OPPOSING DIETARY SYSTEMS IN SCRIPTURE

Anyone who simply reads the Holy Bible with an open mind will see how God gave various instructions to different people at various time periods—even if the average church members cannot see them (too blinded by religious tradition), the Bible critics and skeptics enjoy pointing out these “Bible contradictions!” Below are extremely simple examples of God changing His instructions to mankind. Dispensational Bible study is the only way to make sense of the following Bible passages.

ADAM AND EVE, BEFORE SIN. “[29] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. [30] And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so” (Genesis 1:29-30). In Genesis chapter 1, God told Adam and Eve to eat things that grew naturally—nuts, fruit, seeds, vegetables, and so on. They were vegans, not even partaking of animal products (such as eggs or milk). Before the curse of sin and death, every animal and human strictly ate vegetation. Originally, all people and animals were herbivores; they only ate vegetation. Once man fell into sin, this changed.

NOAH, AFTER THE FLOOD. About 1600 years after Adam, we see Noah and his family getting off the ark. Once the global flood waters have receded, God gives the following instructions to Noah: “[1] And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. [2] And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. [3] Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. [4] But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat” (Genesis 9:1-4). Once the curse and the global flood came, God directed Noah and his family to now eat any animal they could trap or catch, provided they did not consume its blood. From the time of Noah until Moses, mankind was free to eat vegetation and animal meat. See how, one sin entered, God incorporated meat into the human diet. Friends, if you have noticed, in the book of Genesis alone, we have already seen two opposing dietary restrictions imposed by God. But, there are two additional sets of dietary regulations yet to come in Scripture, verses that say other things!

NATION ISRAEL, UNDER THE MOSAIC LAW. When we come to Moses, about 800 years after Noah, the nation Israel is receiving the Mosaic Law from the LORD. In passages such as Leviticus 11:1-31 and Deuteronomy 14:1-21, God gives Israel some very specific instructions: they can only eat “clean beasts,” not just anything like Noah had been instructed centuries earlier. To the Jews, creatures such as bats, owls, camels, vultures, lizards, and swine were “unclean,” and were not to be eaten. “Clean” beasts were animals such as sheep, locusts, oxen, goat, and fallow deer: these could be eaten. The kosher food laws of Judaism remained in effect for the next 1500 years.

APOSTLE PAUL, IN THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE. When we come to the Apostle Paul, about a year after the cross, the Dispensation of Grace has begun, and a new group of believers exists, separate and distinct from the nation Israel—the Church the Body of Christ. Look at what Paul writes: “[3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:3-5). Now, all creatures can be eaten, as long as we give God thanks. We can even eat the animals that God forbade Israel to eat in time past (Colossians 2:16-17)! In this the Dispensation of Grace, regardless of what some religious authority may tell you, there are no diet laws. Our apostle, Paul, says to eat what you want, and give God thanks!

In the Bible, God gave various instructions (dispensations) to different people at various time periods. On four separate occasions, God gave different dieting instructions to various people. Dispensational Bible study is the only answer to understanding and explaining these so-called “contradictory” portions of the Holy Scriptures. While the Bible may seem contradictory, notice these directions were not given to the same group of people! Each set of directions was given in a different dispensation. God’s Word never contradicts itself as long as you apply the principle of right division: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). As long as we leave the directions in the proper dispensation during which God gave them, and understand that God’s directions to us come from the Apostle Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon like Romans 11:13 says, then all of the confusion disappears!

When we ignore the fact that God gave us all animals to eat, and we demand that others must also abstain from certain foods for religious (or meat for nature-worshipping) purposes, the Bible says that that is a “doctrine of devils” in this dispensation (1 Timothy 4:1-5). The creature should not be worshipped; only the Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, should be worshipped (Romans 1:25). As long as we thank the Lord for whatever creatures we eat, the Bible says that consuming animal flesh is acceptable and godly.

CONCLUSION

God never changes: that is the meaning of Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8. His essence and nature never change, but He does change His dealings with man from time to time. While He provides a progressive revelation (revealing more of His Word and will as we read from Genesis through Revelation), while He gives various dispensations (instructions) to man through the ages, He is always faithful, whether strengthening and providing for His people (Hebrews 13:8), or faithful in longsuffering, tolerating His people when they are very rebellious (Malachi 3:6). These two verses do not disprove dispensational Bible study. Actually, there are far too many Bible verses to ignore if we are going to argue that God never changes His dealings with mankind. To take two verses to disprove scores upon scores upon scores of other verses is ridiculous. Let us just use God’s Word, God’s way, and not worry about enhancing a manmade system that is bound to pass away anyway!

Also see:
» If dispensational Bible study is true, then why do few believe it? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Is dispensational Bible study heresy? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» What is dispensational Bible study?

Could you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY

Could you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?

COULD YOU COMPARE AND CONTRAST PETER’S MINISTRY AND PAUL’S MINISTRY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

I would be glad to answer this inquiry, a question that very few church members have ever considered. While I cannot quote every verse in its entirety for sake of brevity, I do trust that you will—and I strongly urge you to—take your Holy Bible and compare the following verses cited in the table below. Dear friend, if you let it, the “old Bible” will become a “new Book;” all you have to do is let it say what it says, where it says it. It will become wonderfully clear. You can then take a stand on these simple, precious, timeless Bible truths, truths hidden by religious tradition and theological speculation!

1. Peter was the leading apostle of the Messianic Church (Matthew 16:16-19). Paul was the leading apostle of the Church the Body of Christ (Romans 11:13; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11).
2. Peter and the 11 apostles preached that Gentiles would be saved through Israel’s rise to kingdom glory (Acts 3:22-26; cf. Isaiah 2:1-5; Isaiah 60:1-3). Israel, however, refused to be God’s chosen people; they killed their Messiah Jesus, and refused to heed His apostles’ preaching in early Acts. Paul preached that Gentiles would be saved through Israel’s fall before God (Romans 11:11-12). Gentiles would be saved through his ministry and the gospel message the Lord Jesus Christ committed to his trust (verse 13). See #19 and #24.
3. Peter and the 11 preached, “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” (Acts 2:38). Repentance and water baptism were necessary for salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; cf. Mark 1:4). Paul preached, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork is sufficient payment for sins—by grace through faith without works (Romans 3:19-31; Romans 4:1-5; Ephesians 1:12-14; cf. Acts 16:31; Titus 3:5).
 4. Peter and the 11 were commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach water baptism (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). Paul claimed that Jesus Christ did not send him to water baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17).
 5. Peter and the 11 preached that Jesus Christ was resurrected to sit on and reign from David’s throne (Acts 2:30-32). Paul preached that Jesus Christ was resurrected for our justification (our right standing before God) (Romans 4:24-25).
 6. Peter and the 11 preached law as part of their salvation (Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 28:19-20; James 2:14-26). Paul preached grace as part of our salvation (Romans 3:24; Romans 6:14-15; Galatians 2:16,20-21).
7. Peter and the 11 preached that their converts would be fully forgiven at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (Acts 3:19-20). They had to forgive others before God would forgive them (Matthew 6:12,14-15; Luke 11:4). Paul preached that his converts had “the atonement” (forgiveness) “now” (Romans 5:11). We forgive others because God has already forgiven us of all our sins (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 2:13; Colossians 3:13).
8. Peter and the 11 preached that all material possessions were to be sold in order to receive salvation (Acts 2:44-47; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 5:1-11; cf. Matthew 19:21-26; Luke 12:31-34; Luke 18:22-27). Paul preached that we are to work in order to eat and provide for our family (1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15), making no reference to selling all that we have and giving it to the poor.
9. Peter and the 11 preached about a kingdom on the earth (Matthew 5:5; Revelation 5:10; cf. Psalm 37:11). Paul preached about a kingdom in the heavens (Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 2:6-7; Colossians 3:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:18).
 10. Peter and the 11 will one day sit on the 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:30). Paul made no reference to himself sitting on one of the thrones of Israel.
11. Peter and the 11 preached about that which was “spoken since the world began” (Acts 3:21; cf. Luke 1:70)—prophecy. This was information that could be searched out and located in the Old Testament Scriptures (John 5:39). They preached information that God had been dispensing since the world began, His plan to restore earth unto Himself. See #49. Paul preached about things that were “kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 3:3-5; Colossians 1:26)—mystery. These were the “unsearchable riches of Christ,” information that could not be searched out and located in the Old Testament Scriptures (Ephesians 3:8). He preached “hidden wisdom,” God’s secret plan to use Calvary’s crosswork for reconciling the heavens unto Himself. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10). See #19, #34, and #49.
12. Peter preached, “But in every nation he that feareth [God], and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:35). Paul never preached a works-religion message such as Acts 10:35. See #6.
13. Peter and the 11’s audience were supposed to go through the seven-year Tribulation, Daniel’s 70th week, punishment for their nation’s sins (Acts 2:14-21; James 1:2-4; James 5:10-11; 1 Peter 1:5-9; 1 Peter 3:14-17; 1 Peter 4:12-19; 1 Peter 5:6-9; 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:1-7; the entire book of the Revelation). God promised that He would bring a believing remnant through that wrath (Jeremiah 30:7; Zechariah 13:8-9). This is postponed while our program is operating.

Paul’s converts would not go through any of those seven years of God’s wrath (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-14). After all, it is the time of “Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) and we are not Jacob/Israel. God has no controversy with us, His people, the Church the Body of Christ. Our sins were already dealt with and paid for at Calvary!
14. Peter and the 11 were selected and commissioned by Jesus Christ while He was on the earth (Matthew 10:1-7; Mark 3:14-19; Luke 6:13-16; cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:22-23; Acts 1:8). Paul was selected and commissioned by Jesus Christ from His resurrected, ascended, and glorified position in heaven (Acts 9:1-9; Acts 22:1-11; Acts 26:9-19).
 15. Peter and the 11 preached about a “kingdom of priests” (1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation 5:10; cf. Exodus 19:5-6). Believing Israelites are called “kings and priests” (Revelation 1:6). Paul preached about “the Church the Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). We are never called “kings and priests.”
16. Peter and the 11’s converts waited for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (His Coming for the nation Israel)—a prophesied coming (Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 14:1-3; Acts 3:19-21; Hebrews 10:25-31; James 5:8; 1 Peter 1:7,13; 1 John 3:1-2; Jude 14-15). Paul’s converts waited for the Rapture (His Coming for the Church the Body of Christ)—a secret coming (1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Titus 2:13).
17. Peter and the 11 preached that physical circumcision was necessary for salvation—JEHOVAH clearly stated that He wanted nothing to do with a physically-uncircumcised Jew in Israel’s program, for physical circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 17:7-14). Paul preached that physical circumcision was unnecessary for salvation (Galatians 5:1-6; Galatians 6:15). We are saved apart from any covenants (such as the Abrahamic Covenant), and apart from any signs (such as physical circumcision).
 18. Peter and the 11 preached that confession of sins was necessary for salvation (Matthew 6:12,14-15; Luke 11:4; 1 John 1:9; cf. 1 John 2:12). Confession of national sins was Moses’ instructions to Israel as the first step in returning to JEHOVAH God after she renounced her pagan idolatry (Leviticus 26:40-46). Paul never preached confession of sins at all (for salvation or for daily Christian living). Jesus Christ put away our sins; He fully dealt with them. If Jesus Christ did not fully deal with our sin problem at Calvary, what hope do we have that our weakly confession of sins to God or to a priest will accomplish anything? See #3, #5, and #7.
19. Peter and the 11 preached in order to convert all of Israel first (Matthew 10:23; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:31; cf. Acts 1:8; Acts 3:21-26). The order of salvation in the prophetic program was Israel first, and then Israel would reach Gentiles in an earthly kingdom (Isaiah 2:1-4; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8). When Israel refused to cooperate, God sent salvation to the nations without redeemed Israel; this was the reason for Paul’s ministry. Paul preached to Jews and Gentiles—he had no divine commission to convert all of Israel before he ministered to Gentiles (Acts 9:20; Acts 13:38-52; Acts 14:1-7; Acts 18:1-6; Acts 28:17-31; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 3:8; et cetera). Ephesians 3:9 says Paul preached, “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery”—to exhibit a secret, believing Jews and believing Gentiles existing in one Body, the Body of Christ, alive with God’s life, impacting the heavenly places (verse 10).
 20. Peter and the 11 accused the nation Israel of killing Jesus Christ at Calvary (Acts 2:23; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39). Paul accused God the Father of killing Jesus Christ at Calvary (Romans 3:25; Romans 8:32).
 21. Peter and the 11’s converts assembled around the Temple in Jerusalem (Acts 2:46). Paul never mentioned that the Temple was part of our Christian life. See #22.
22. Peter and the 11 and their converts observed Israel’s feast days and holy days (Acts 2:1ff.). See #21. Paul said that we are not bound by Israel’s religious calendar (Colossians 2:16-17).
 23. Peter and the 11’s converts were slain by God if they did not relinquish all material goods (Acts 5:1-11). See #8. Paul never instructed us to give up all of our possessions lest God strike us dead. See #8.
24. Peter and the 11 preached “the gospel of the circumcision,” “the gospel of the kingdom” (Galatians 2:7; Matthew 10:5-7). This message involved salvation going to Gentiles through redeemed Israel in an earthly kingdom. Jesus said that the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached “in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). Did the “end come?” Of course not. In light of Colossians 1:23, Paul was not preaching that Gospel of the Kingdom! See to the right. Paul said he preached “the gospel of the uncircumcision,” “the gospel of the grace of God” (Galatians 2:7; Acts 20:24). This involved salvation going to Gentiles through Paul’s ministry, Paul preaching faith in God’s grace (Christ’s finished crosswork) as means of salvation. Paul’s ministry had nothing to do with a complete conversion of Israel. Paul preached his gospel to “every creature,” and the end did not come (Colossians 1:23)—it was a gospel different from Matthew 24:14! NOTE: The modern English versions, including NKJV, twice replace “of” with “to,” erroneously suggesting one gospel sent to both Jews and Gentiles (when, in actuality) there was one Gospel sent to the Jews and another Gospel sent to the Gentiles. See #1, #9, and #19.
 25. Peter and the 11 were baptized with the Holy Ghost by Jesus Christ (Acts 1:4-5; Acts chapter 2). There is no Body of Christ mentioned. Paul and his converts were baptized by the Holy Ghost into the Church the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).
26. Peter and the 11 had miracles, signs, and wonders (miraculous deeds) to confirm their message—that Jesus Christ’s earthly kingdom which they preached, was at hand and Israel needed to heed the message (Matthew 10:5-8; Mark 16:20; Luke 8:1; Acts 2:1-21; Acts 3:1-11; Acts 4:29-31; Acts 5:12; Acts 8:5ff.; Acts 9:32-43; Hebrews 2:3-4; cf. Isaiah 35:4-6; Isaiah 53:4 (Matthew 8:17); Zechariah 13:1-2. Paul’s “Acts” ministry did have accompanying miracles and spiritual gifts (Acts 13:6-12; Acts 13:6-12; Acts 14:8-11; Acts 16:16-18; Acts 19:11-12; Acts 20:9-12; Acts 28:1-10; Romans 12:3-8; Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:11). However, this supernatural apostolic ability to perform miracles progressively declined and eventually ceased at the end of his ministry (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Galatians 4:13-14; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20; cf. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13). The spiritual gifts ceased near the end of Paul’s ministry, when the Bible was completed (1 Corinthians 13:8-13; Ephesians 4:11-13). See #50.
 27. Peter was opposed to preaching to Gentiles (Acts 10:10-18,28). As Jesus had commanded in Matthew 10:5-7,23, he knew that he had to convert all of Israel before reaching Gentiles with God’s Word. See #1 and #19. Paul was not opposed to preaching to either Jew or Gentile; technically, every lost person was a Gentile because Israel had fallen back in Acts chapter 7, just before Paul’s conversion (Acts 17:30; Romans 1:16; Romans 11:11-13,28-32; Romans 15:16; 2 Timothy 1:11). Paul had an “all-nations” ministry, an unrestricted apostleship (Romans 1:5,13,16; Galatians 1:16; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 3:11; 1 Timothy 2:6-7).
 28. Peter preached that Jesus was the Son of God (Acts 3:13,26). NOTE: The modern English versions, including NKJV, twice replace “Son” with “servant,” downplaying Jesus’ deity in these two verses. Paul preached that Jesus was the Son of God (Acts 9:20,22). This was the “faith” of Galatians 1:23 that Paul preached.
 29. Peter preached that Jesus was Israel’s Messiah-King (Acts 2:30-32,36; Acts 3:13; Acts 3:26). Paul preached that Jesus was our Head-King (Colossians 1:13; Colossians 1:18; Colossians 2:19; 1 Timothy 1:17).
30. Peter and the 11 are Israel’s apostles (Galatians 2:9; cf. Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 19:27-28). Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13; cf. Romans 15:16; Galatians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:11). NOTE: The modern English versions, including NKJV, replace “the” with “an,” thereby diminishing Paul’s special ministry and making him one of numerous apostles of the Gentiles.
 31. Peter was given by Jesus Christ “the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 16:19). See #3. Paul was given by Jesus Christ “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). See Ephesians 3:1-11.
 32. Peter and the 11 were to begin their ministries at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). They obeyed Jesus’ commandment in Acts chapters 1 and 2 and following. Paul was not instructed of God to start his ministry in Jerusalem.
33. Peter and the 11 preached that God gave the Holy Ghost to “them that obey him” (Acts 5:32; cf. Hebrews 5:9). See #3 and #6. Paul preached that God gave the Holy Ghost to those who “trusted in Christ” (Ephesians 1:13-15). See #3 and #6.
 34. Peter admitted that Paul wrote about some things that he did not understand (2 Peter 3:15-16). Note Peter called Paul’s writings “Scripture!” Paul claimed that he taught Peter and the 10 (James brother of John now deceased) some new information whereas he said that Israel’s apostles did not teach him anything new (Galatians 2:2,6-9).
35. Peter and the 11 were concerned about a literal, physical, visible, Davidic, earthly kingdom that belonged to the nation Israel (Acts 1:6; cf. 2 Samuel 7:12-17; 1 Chronicles 17:11-15; Psalm 89:3-4). Paul was concerned about a literal, spiritual, invisible kingdom in the heavens that belonged to the Church the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:3,20-23; Ephesians 2:6-7; 2 Timothy 4:18).
 36. Peter had apostles and prophets associated with his ministry (the prophets would primarily be the Old Testament prophets) (2 Peter 3:1-2). Paul had other apostles and prophets associated with his ministry (Acts 13:1-2; Acts 14:14; 1 Corinthians 12:10,28-29; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:5; Ephesians 4:11).
 37. Peter and the 11 included Matthias as Judas’ replacement (Acts 1:26)—the Bible says that Matthias was the Lord’s choice (Acts 1:24,26; Proverbs 16:33). Paul did not qualify to replace Judas (Acts 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Paul did not consider himself one of the 12.
38. Peter and the 11 never preached about God being manifest in the flesh in the form of a secret body of believers whom God would use to live out His life before all men. Paul wrote about the Church the Body of Christ being “God manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:15-16)—the local church, a local manifestation of the Body of Christ, God living His life in us, was a “mystery,” a secret God did not reveal until the Apostle Paul. Jesus Christ living in us Christians is God manifested in human flesh!
 39. The God of the Bible “wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:8). The same God of the Bible was “mighty in [Paul] toward the Gentiles” (Galatians 2:8).
40. Peter and the 11 preached “the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:2; Acts 1:3)—they preached the earthly kingdom aspect. See #9 and #35. Paul preached “the kingdom of God” (Acts 28:31; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:50)—he preached the heavenly kingdom aspect. See #9 and #35.
 41. Peter offered Israel her kingdom (Acts 3:19-26). She could have been fully converted in early Acts, endured the seven years of Tribulation, and then Jesus Christ could have returned bringing her literal, physical, visible kingdom with Him! Paul never offered Israel her kingdom. The “hope of Israel” that Paul preached during the book of Acts was bodily resurrection, particularly Jesus Christ’s resurrection (Acts 24:15,21; Acts 25:19; Acts 26:6-8; Acts 28:20).
42. Peter and the 11 never wrote about themselves anything like what Paul wrote about himself being a “wise masterbuilder.” See to the right. Paul wrote that he was a “wise masterbuilder,” one who laid the foundation, Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (1 Corinthians 3:10-11; cf. Romans 16:25-26). Paul said that he did not build on “another man’s foundation” (Romans 15:20)—his ministry involved a special aspect of Jesus Christ, a way to view Jesus Christ, an outlook Peter and the 11 did not preach, and Paul reached people Peter and the 11 did not reach.
43. The Holy Spirit never led Peter to write that we should follow him. See to the right. Paul, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, wrote that we should be followers of him as he followed Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2).
44. Peter’s first miracle previewed redeemed Israel (spiritually healed of God) walking into her kingdom of blessings (Acts 3:1-11). Paul’s first miracle demonstrated unbelieving Israel would be blinded during our Dispensation of Grace (Acts 13:6-12).
45. Peter and the 11 were taught by Jesus Christ to pray according to the concepts mentioned in “The Lord’s Prayer” (the “Our Father” Prayer of Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4). Paul never instructed us to repeat “The Lord’s Prayer” (the “Our Father” Prayer of Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4).
 46. Peter and 11 were told by Jesus Christ that they would receive of God “whatsoever” they would pray for in Christ’s name (Matthew 18:19; John 14:13-14; 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14-15). Paul did not receive the things for which he prayed thrice in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. He learned to pray according to what God was doing today, and not according to what God did with Israel in time past.
 47. Peter and the 11 were saved within Israel. They will always be members of the nation Israel. Paul was “one born out of due time,” saved apart from Israel (1 Corinthians 15:8). Paul will always be a member of the Church the Body of Christ.
48. Peter and the 11 did not blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, but were saved within Israel’s program. Paul blasphemed against the Holy Ghost (1 Timothy 1:13); therefore, he had to be saved apart from Israel’s program (Matthew 12:31-32).
49. Peter and the 11 preached about a kingdom “prepared for [Jew-blessing Gentiles] from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34)—an earthly kingdom spoken by God since He placed Adam on the Earth, an earthly kingdom Adam postponed because he sinned and sided with Satan. Peter preached that Gentiles who blessed Israel would inherit that earthly kingdom (Acts 3:19-26; cf. Genesis 12:1-3). Paul preached about “eternal life that God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2-3). Regarding Christian service, Paul preached about God choosing us “in [Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4)—a secret God revealed first to Paul was that the Body of Christ would serve Him in a heavenly kingdom. God’s reconciliation of heaven is unheard of until Paul’s ministry.
50. Peter and the 11 did not complete the Bible’s canon. Contrary to church tradition, there is nothing in Scripture to indicate that the book of the Revelation was the last Bible book written. The Apostle Paul wrote the final book of the Scriptures. See to the right. Paul, writing by the moving of the Holy Spirit, said that one of His divinely-ordained roles was to “fulfill [or, complete] the word of God” (Colossians 1:25)—Paul’s “mystery” doctrine was the final installment of divine revelation (verses 26-29). The Bible was completed once Paul wrote the book of 2 Timothy (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

SUPPLEMENTAL: A CLOSER LOOK AT GALATIANS CHAPTERS 1 AND 2

Two primary passages that clearly differentiate between Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry are Galatians chapters 1 and 2. Notice what the Holy Spirit through Paul wrote in the following verses. Again, let the verses speak for themselves.

GALATIANS 1:11-12: “[11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Who taught Paul the message that he preached? The Bible itself says that it was not Peter; the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Jesus Christ Himself personally taught Paul. Had Peter and Paul been preaching the same message, why did Jesus Christ not send Paul to Peter in order to learn what to believe and preach? (After all, Peter had been with Jesus Christ Himself for three years!) Faith leads us to conclude that Jesus Christ had other plans for Paul and his ministry; Jesus Christ had a new message, a new program, to reveal to Paul, a program and a set of doctrines that Peter knew nothing of until he learned of it in Galatians chapter 2, when Paul told him in person.

GALATIANS 1:15-19: “[15] But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, [16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: [17] Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. [18] Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. [19] But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.” Again, notice what the Scriptures actually say. Immediately after he was saved, Paul did not meet with the apostles (Peter and the 11). Paul says it was three years after his salvation on the road to Damascus before he met face-to-face with Peter. For the first few years of his Christian life, God did not want Paul to fellowship with Peter, or any of the other apostles in Jerusalem. Why? It was to have Paul separated unto a pure message, that he not be like today’s professing church, confusing his new divine revelation (mystery) with the divine revelation that Peter, James, and John had been given earlier (prophecy). The ascended Lord Jesus Christ wanted Paul to have a firm grasp of the doctrine committed to him before he began sharing it with Israel’s apostles in Galatians chapter 2 (Acts chapter 15).

GALATIANS 2:1-9: “[1] Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. [2] And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. [3] But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: [4] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: [5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. [6] But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: [7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; [8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles: ) [9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. [10] Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.”

You should pay particular attention to verses 6-9, which talk about how, although James, Cephas (Peter), and John had nothing to teach Paul, Paul says that he had new doctrine to teach them; the apostles of Israel learned things from Paul. Again, Paul knew of divine information the other apostles did not; they recognized that the Lord Jesus Christ had given Paul a special message, and it was different from what the Lord Jesus Christ had committed to their trust years earlier. Again, they were two separate programs, but they both brought Jesus Christ glory in their respective operations and realms. Peter, James, and John recognized the “grace” given to Paul, his special divinely-commissioned ministry. Even the Apostle Peter mentioned “the wisdom given to [Paul]” (2 Peter 3:15); furthermore, Peter admitted that some of Paul’s writings were “hard to be understood” (verse 16). Even some 15 years after the meeting with Paul in Galatians chapter 2 and Acts chapter 15, Peter still did not fully understand everything the Lord Jesus Christ told Paul to teach, preach, and write.

CONCLUSION

Dear friend, God has one plan, to glorify His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, in heaven and in earth. Now, with the Apostle Paul’s ministry commenced (and still operating), God has revealed all of His will to mankind. The secret part of His will—the mystery—is now revealed through the writings of the Apostle Paul, the Bible books of Romans through Philemon. Not only will God restore Earth unto Himself, but the heavens as well. Ephesians 1:9-10 says: “[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Two programs—prophecy and mystery; one goal—glorify the Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever in heaven and on earth. We see how these programs are separate and yet unified. They are not contradictory if we, “Study to shew ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). God wants the programs of prophecy and mystery separated; if we combine them as Christendom has done, then we will not have to wonder why there is so much Bible confusion and ignorance.

Beloved, Paul wrote, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (1 Corinthians 14:37-38). Are you speaking on God’s behalf? Are you led by God’s Holy Spirit? Then, the Bible says that you will pay attention to what the Apostle Paul writes—yea, you will regard his words as the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to you! Is a preacher, priest, or teacher speaking on God’s behalf? Is a preacher, priest, or teacher led by God’s Holy Spirit? If they refuse to accept Paul’s special ministry, His special apostleship, His words as God’s words to us in this the Dispensation of Grace, then the Bible is clear that they are not speaking on God’s behalf, they are not led by God’s Spirit. Friend, you have every reason to flee from their presence!

There are those in Christendom who insist that Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel, that Paul was an “extension” of Peter and the 11’s ministry, but they simply have not looked at these dozens upon dozens upon dozens of Bible verses that clearly differentiate Peter from Paul; if these distinctions are ignored instead of being “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15), they will become confusing, burdensome, and you will never understand the Bible. Lest their traditional Bible-handling be questioned, lest their denominational system lose its credibility, they will turn a blind eye to the verses and simply continue in the error. Pride, pride, pride! For those of us who have searched the Scriptures for ourselves, we can rejoice in the clarity of God’s rightly divided Word. We can glory in our Lord Jesus Christ that Paul’s ministry is to be separate and distinct from the other ministries in the Bible. To ignore the special ministry Jesus Christ gave Paul is to miss ever so much—SO MUCH—doctrine, particularly the doctrine that applies directly to us. Friends, may we never, ever, ever relinquish these precious truths! 🙂

“Compare and Contrast Peter and Paul” PDF Download Here.

Also see:
» Did Peter and Paul preach the same Gospel?
» What is “the Dispensation of Grace?”
» What is dispensational Bible study?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, THE NATION ISRAEL, Why did lying cause the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira?, Why did lying cause the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira?

Why did lying cause the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira?

WHY DID LYING CAUSE GOD TO STRIKE ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA DEAD?

by Shawn Brasseaux

What an excellent question, and thank you for asking. Let us study the Scriptures and see what they have to say about this very bizarre incident.

We should begin by reading the passage in question, Acts 5:1-11: “[1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, [2] And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. [3] But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? [4] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. [5] And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. [6] And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. [7] And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. [8] And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. [9] Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. [10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. [11] And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.”

Whenever we have a puzzling Bible passage, it is always wise to look for another Bible passage to explain it; that is, look for verses that read similarly, and one passage will illuminate another passage. A parallel passage that will shed light on our current topic is Luke 18:24-25: “[24] And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” This is the key to understanding why Ananias and Sapphira were judged so harshly.

The context of this passage (Luke 18:18-30; cf. Matthew 19:16-30) is that a “certain ruler” had previously asked Jesus Christ, “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18; Matthew 19:16). Luke 18:19-21 continues, “[19] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. [Jesus was asking him, “Are you calling Me ‘God?’” Modern versions water down this verse for obvious reasons.] [20] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. [21] And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up” (cf. Matthew 19:17-20). (Note how law-keeping is related to soul salvation in Israel’s program, just as James 2:17-26 says.)

Let us return to Luke 18:24-25, but now read them in their context: “[22] Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. [23] And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. [24] And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Our Lord Jesus commanded this wealthy ruler to sell all of his possessions and give (alms) to the poor. Why? And why did Jesus speak so negatively of being wealthy, warning His audience not to be rich (and instructing them to sell their possessions, too)?

In Luke 12:13-15, a man desired Jesus to speak with his brother, that he “divide the inheritance” with him. Christ replied, “Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? [And he said unto them,] Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Jesus then spoke a parable, describing how a rich man wanted to demolish his barns and build larger ones to contain his many fruits and goods. This fool deceived himself into thinking he could now enjoy “the good life,” forgetting that he would perish, lose it all, and stand before God as an idolater. Jesus concluded, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (verse 21).

Jesus then proceeded to tell His disciples not to worry about what they would eat, drink, or wear (verses 22-29). Verses 30-34 continue, “[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. [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. [33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

In the Four Gospels, Jesus told the Jews that selling all their possessions and giving to the poor was a sign that their heart, their hope, was in heaven. Those who ignored this command were signifying their unbelief. They did not care what Jesus said; they did not seek His Heavenly Father’s will. They were idolaters—money worshippers—and not worshippers of Father God and His Son Jesus Christ.

When Jesus spoke about giving up material riches and it being impossible for rich people to enter the kingdom of God, He had Israel’s prophetic program in mind. The book of Proverbs had already foretold: “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death” (11:4). “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land” (Zephaniah 1:18).

Once Israel’s Messiah, Jesus, arrived, her program was in its “last days” (Hebrews 1:2; cf. Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32; Luke 16:16; Matthew 3:7-12). After the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), the day of the LORD’S wrath, the seven-year Tribulation, was to begin. Then, the Antichrist, the false Messiah, would con Israel, and cause her to rest in a false peace policy. He would then manifest himself as satanic by implementing a tyrannical economic agenda: “[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17).

Jesus knew that material riches would spiritually hinder and destroy His little flock, for they would be tempted to take the Antichrist’s mark and accept his name or number in order to retain their physical possessions. He even warned Israel’s believers not to be attached to material goods during the Tribulation period (Matthew 24:15-18; Mark 13:14-16). If they sold all they had, they would be guarded against materialism. However, those rich would value their possessions, and thus submit to the Antichrist.

Observe how Jesus’ audience responded to His words, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24-25). We read in verse 26 and following: “[26] And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? [27] And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. [28] Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. [29] And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, [30] Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”

Jesus’ audience did not comprehend that those who could be saved in Israel’s program were those who sold their possessions and gave to the poor. The rich, however, would be greedy, worshipping “mammon” (their material wealth; Matthew 6:24-34). They would fall into the snare of the Antichrist—and once they would accept his mark or worship him in order to keep the value of their possessions, the Bible says they would be damned to everlasting hellfire (Revelation 14:9-11).

The Apostle Peter, representing all members of Israel’s little flock, responded, “Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.” Jesus assured them that He knew that they had abandoned their houses, families, businesses, and so on, for the sake of God’s kingdom. He reassured them that they would receive “manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” What did He mean? Though believing Jews had lost their flesh-and-blood family members, and their material possessions, they had gained many brothers and sisters and spiritual wealth in Christ. These Messianic Jews would behave like family now by taking care of each other’s physical needs.

CONCLUSION

Considering all of our previous comments, we can see why Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead when they were dishonest about their material wealth. Returning to Acts 5:1-11, we learn how they “sold a possession, and kept back part of the price” (verses 1-2). This was most serious indeed, as we will now delineate and summarize in the following observations:

  1. Ananias and Sapphira could not serve God and mammon: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Ananias and Sapphira were money worshippers; they despised the God of the Bible. They had no respect for Jesus Christ’s words about selling their possessions and giving the money to the poor. They were breaking one of the requirements necessary to enter the kingdom of God (Luke 18:18-30; cf. Matthew 19:16-30).
  2. Ananias and Sapphira were laying up treasure for themselves, and they were not rich toward God. They had fallen into the trap of idolatry, materialism. What did we read in Luke 12:21, when Jesus commented about the rich man who wanted to tear down his barns and build larger ones to hold his additional goods? “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Ananias and Sapphira had more interest in material goods than pleasing the God of the Bible.
  3. What had Jesus told the rich man? “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). Ananias and Sapphira refused to believe that to be true. They were more interested in having treasures on earth than acquiring treasures in heaven. In the words of Jesus, their heart (attitude, focus) was on earth and not in heaven. Luke 12:33-34: “[33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
  4. Acts 5:3-4 provides us with what was perhaps the most serious error of Ananias and Sapphira. The Apostle Peter said, “[3] Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? [4] Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Ananias and Sapphira had not really lied to the apostles—ultimately, they had lied to God the Holy Ghost, the Person working in and through the Apostles. Later, when Sapphira was questioned about the matter, Peter asked her in verse 9, “How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?” Ananias and Sapphira had “tempted” the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Ghost. They had determined in their hearts not to follow the Lord Jesus’ earlier commands about selling all they had and giving that money away. Ananias and Sapphira not only lied, but they purposed to cheat God and see how He would respond, a most serious matter. Thus, God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead right there on the spot.

Here are some interesting side-notes worthy of our consideration, especially in light of how we relate to this incident of Ananias and Sapphira.

While some teach that Jesus did not literally mean “sell that ye have, and give alms” (Luke 12:33), that His language was figurative (“sell out for Me”), His audience took Him literally. They actually sold their possessions and had all things common in Acts 2:44-47 and Acts 4:32-37. Hence, Peter declared to the lame beggar, “Silver and gold have I none!” (Acts 3:6; cf. Matthew 10:9). The Jerusalem saints pooled all their wealth together and lived for each other’s benefit, just as Jesus instructed, while those Jews who did not have their heart in heaven simply ignored Jesus.

Jesus literally meant for His Jewish disciples to sell their physical possessions; Ananias and his wife Sapphira were a tragic example of those who disregarded Jesus’ literal words. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost and did not relinquish all of their wealth—remember, it was so serious that God actually struck them dead (Acts 5:1-11). They were money worshippers, idolaters, and they were indicating they wanted to remain a part of Satan’s world system, they preferred false gods instead of the true God. Had the Antichrist shown up in early Acts, and had our dispensation not postponed Israel’s program, Ananias and Sapphira would have most likely followed the Antichrist!

Later, when a great famine troubled the whole then-known world (Acts 11:28), and because there was no interest associated with the common account, the Jerusalem Messianic Jews grew poorer. Moreover, their kingdom program and their kingdom prosperity were delayed (since God had just instated our Dispensation of Grace). Thus, Paul’s Gentile converts repeatedly sent financial relief to these poor Jerusalem saints (Acts 11:28-30; Romans 15:25-28; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; Galatians 2:10).

Therefore, dispensational Bible study is important. God’s Word to us—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon—never instructs us to sell all our possessions and share one bank account. We are expected to work in order to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; cf. Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:8). Still, the Apostle Paul also warned about loving and worshipping material goods, for “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:3-19). While it is not a sin to be materially rich or poor in this the Dispensation of Grace, let us remember that we in Christ are—and always will be—spiritually rich in Christ (Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:19).

Also see:
» What is “the Dispensation of Grace?”
» Did the Church the Body of Christ begin in Acts 2?
» Are we obligated to tithe 10% of our income?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, In light of Galatians 1:8-9 was the Apostle Peter “accursed?”, In light of Galatians 1:8-9 was the Apostle Peter “accursed?”, THE NATION ISRAEL

In light of Galatians 1:8-9, was the Apostle Peter “accursed?”

SINCE PETER PREACHED THE KINGDOM GOSPEL, WHY WAS HE NOT UNDER THE CURSE OF GALATIANS 1:8-9?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“In light of Galatians 1:8-9, why was Peter not under a curse since he preached the Kingdom gospel?” What an interesting question! Let us turn to the Word of God and search it for answers.

Lest anyone not know what we mean by the expressions, “the Kingdom Gospel” or “the Gospel of the Kingdom,” we will briefly search the Scriptures for the definition.

Luke 16:16 quotes Jesus as saying, “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Before Jesus’ earthly ministry even began, John the Baptist preached, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Later, we read about Jesus preaching during His earthly ministry, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Verse 23 continues, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease among the people.” Mark 1:14-15 says, “[14] Now after that John was put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” In Matthew 24:14, the Lord Jesus predicted, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Christ used the expression “this” to indicate that “the Gospel of the Kingdom” was the title of the Gospel message associated with His earthly ministry—it was that Gospel that John the Baptist preached, that Gospel that Jesus preached during His earthly ministry, that Gospel that He had commissioned His 12 apostles to preach.

After ordaining the 12, Jesus commanded them, “[5] Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. [6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:5-8). Basically, the Gospel of the Kingdom focused on the fact that Jesus was Israel’s Messiah-King-the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 2:11; Luke 4:41; Luke 9:20; John 1:41; John 4:25; John 4:42; John 6:69; John 9:22; John 11:27), and that He was coming to establish God’s earthly kingdom; the nation Israel needed to prepare herself by confessing their sin of idolatry and then being water baptized of John (Ezekiel 36:25; Matthew 3:6-12; Mark 1:4-5; Luke 7:29-30; Acts 13:24).

Following the Lord Jesus Christ’s instructions, the Apostle Peter and Israel’s other apostles preached the following salvation message in early Acts: “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” (Acts 2:38). This is the Gospel of the Kingdom that John the Baptist, Jesus, and His apostles preached in Matthew through John (change your mind, accept Jesus as Messiah, be water baptized), except there is now the addition of the Holy Spirit being poured out on those believers following their water baptism. Even as late as Acts 3:19-26, Peter continued preaching about the issue of Israel’s earthly kingdom and her need to get right with JEHOVAH, that she can then be His ministers to the Gentiles (non-Jews) in that literal, physical, visible, Davidic kingdom. Israel repeatedly refused the Holy Spirit’s testimony through the apostles and prophets in early Acts (chapters 1-7).

Once Paul’s ministry came on the scene (Acts chapter 9 and onward), but technically in Acts chapter 15 (Galatians chapter 2), the Apostle Peter (as well as James and John, and the other Israeli apostles) learned the further revelation from God that Paul had been given. At that time, Apostles Peter, James, and John finally gave up their ministry to Gentiles (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8) over to Paul. Since Israel was not cooperating, God enacted a plan that He had in mind long ago: He would minister to Gentiles without Israel and her earthly kingdom, and the ascended Lord Jesus Christ would reach Gentiles through Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-13). Paul preached “the Gospel of the Grace of God” (Acts 20:24). That message focused on Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It is totally separate and unique from the Gospel of the Kingdom. (One day, that Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached again; Israel’s kingdom program will resume after our Dispensation of Grace; Romans chapter 11.)

Now, we can focus on the passage in question. We will read Galatians 1:6-9: “[6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

To be “accursed” here does not mean to be damned to everlasting hellfire (as commonly taught); it simply means, “separated” or “something (or someone) to be avoided.” In other words, Paul did not want anyone else preaching to the Galatians. After the Apostle had left the region of Galatia, false teachers and false preachers came into those Christian assemblies and mixed law and grace. The Galatians had gotten so confused doctrinally he actually called them “bewitched” (tricked, spellbound, mesmerized) and “foolish” (people who were not thinking clearly) (Galatians 3:1-5). They returned to a performance-based acceptance system (works-religion) and ignored Paul’s Gospel, God’s grace (Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork) as sufficient payment for their sins. The Holy Spirit through Paul wanted the Galatians to separate themselves from false religion; He did not want them to have fellowship with someone who did not preach Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God. See Galatians 5:12: “I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” Paul wanted the Galatian believers to “cut off” fellowship from those preaching another gospel. (If we did this today, most pulpits would be vacated!)

Now, the question at hand is, Did Galatians 1:6-9 apply to the Apostle Peter?

Remember, according to Galatians 2:9, Apostles Peter, James, and John (Acts chapter 15 onward) confined their ministry to the “circumcision” (Israel’s believing remnant), and they agreed that Paul and Barnabas would go to the “heathen” (lost Jews and lost Gentiles). “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision” (Galatians 2:9).

Exactly who was preaching a Kingdom Gospel (legalism) to the Galatians, we do not know; the Bible does not identify them by name. We have no Scriptural evidence that Peter, James, or John ever visited Galatia. In fact, the Scriptures do reveal that, by Acts chapter 15, Peter, James, and John had already confined their ministry to Israel’s little flock, and the letter to the Galatians was written after Acts 15 (because Galatians chapter 2 alludes to the same event as Acts chapter 15).

Peter was not under any “curse” for preaching a false gospel to the Galatians because he had already learned in Acts chapter 15 (prior to the book of Galatians) that he had no ministry to Gentiles anymore; he learned that Paul was now God’s man to reach the lost Jews and lost Gentiles. As per agreement, Peter was not preaching a Kingdom Gospel to the Galatians, or to any other of Paul’s converts or Gentiles; the phrase “let him be accursed” in Galatians 1:6-9 refers to someone other than Apostles Peter, James, and John. It applies to those who were attempting to overthrow Paul’s ministry—that certainly would not be a reference to Peter, James, and John. Interestingly, we do read about “false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage” (Galatians 2:4). Perhaps it was one of these “false brethren” who misled the Galatians; Galatians 1:6-9 would certainly apply to these legalists.

Also see:
» Did Peter and Paul preach the same Gospel?
» Could you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» We are saved by faith, but are we blessed by works?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Does God intervene in my life? If so then how?, Does God intervene in my life? If so then how?, GRACE (CHRISTIAN) LIVING

Does God intervene in my life? If so, how?

DOES GOD INTERVENE IN MY LIFE? IF So, HOW?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“From a Bible-believing, Pauline dispensational perspective, can you please tell me whether or not God intervenes in my life? If so, how does He? If He does not, does that mean that He is unconcerned about me?” Let us be Berean Bible students and search the Holy Bible, and not take anyone’s word for it!

Within Christendom—that is, the professing “Christian” church—there is the view that God will do anything and everything in our lives. It is commonly believed that guardian angels will appear to protect us from accidents; that God will manipulate our circumstances to miraculously deliver us from times of pain and suffering; that He will heal our sick bodies if we just “name and claim” the healing passages in Scripture; that He will rain down money from heaven if we faithfully give to a ministry or church; that He will speak to us directly in audible voices, dreams, visions, and inner impressions; that He will guide us to find misplaced items; that He will mysteriously lead us to the right person to marry, the right job offer to accept, the right house or vehicle to purchase; and so on. As you can probably see, what happens here is that Christians get so focused on what they are doing that they overlook what the God of the Bible is doing.

Friends, the old adage, “God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform” is certainly good religious tradition, but it is bad Bible doctrine. If something happens that appears to be miraculous, people usually refer to it as the “mysterious” working of God—they immediately attribute it to the God of the Bible when they see a bright light, an “angel,” and/or an “apparition” of a deceased loved one or “saint”; when they amazingly recover from a life-threatening illness; when someone gives them a check with a generous amount written on it; and on and on. We read about how “saintly medallions” and scapulars ward off evil and protect from illness and disaster, how tumors just fall from sick peoples’ bodies when a minister lays hands on them, how an angel saved a church from being consumed by flames, someone who claims that God spoke in his or her heart, someone seeing “the virgin Mary” in a treetop or piece of food, an angel who instructs someone to do something. On the other hand, some people believe that God created the universe but then abandoned it, and is unconcerned about our suffering, our needs, et cetera. They believe that God does not intervene at all in our lives.

It would be important to introduce two theological terms associated with this issue: deism and theism. According to The Oxford American Dictionary, deism is defined as, “the belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe. The term is used chiefly of an intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that accepted the existence of a creator on the basis of reason but rejected belief in a supernatural deity who interacts with humankind.” This is contrasted with theism, “the belief in the existence of a god or gods, esp. belief in one god as creator of the universe, intervening in it and sustaining a personal relation to his creatures.” Now, which view is the view of the Scriptures? Does God intervene in our lives, as the theists claim, or does He not, as the deists claim? What would be the Bible-believing view? Theism or deism?

Before we begin, here is a verse of Scripture that will help us in reaching a sound conclusion: “(For we walk by faith, not by sight: )” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

In John 20:24-30, we find the famous account of “doubting Thomas:” “[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. [26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. [27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. [28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. [29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. [30] And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:”

Certainly, the disciples saw Jesus Christ in His resurrected physical body. Yet, Thomas was absent at that time, so he declared that he would not believe unless He saw the nail-scars in Jesus’ hands, unless he had touched those scars, and unless he had put his hand in Jesus’ spear-scar on His side. The Lord Jesus replied in verse 29, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” This is a companion verse to 2 Corinthians 5:7. Dear friends, we are not walking by sight; we are walking by faith. It is not important for us to see God’s activities with our physical eyes.

Due to religious tradition, what people commonly do is look outside of the Bible for confirmation of God’s love for them. “Oh, if God really loved me, He would heal me, He would get rid of my financial debt, He would spare me from accidents, He would give me a godly spouse and obedient children….” Interestingly, the atheists have a similar claim, “If God really exists, He needs to perform a miracle so that I can believe He really is there. If a loving God really existed, there should not be sickness and suffering in our world.” This is not walking by faith; this is walking by sight, walking in unbelief, plain and simple.

Hebrews 11:1 says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” All of our foregoing comments were needed to arrive at the fact that the God of the Bible is intervening in our lives in the spiritual dimension, in an area that we cannot see (this will receive more treatment later on, in point #4).

In the grand scheme of things, God’s intervention in human history has brought, is bringing, or will bring His overall will for us, to pass. We will briefly consider the following five issues:

  1. His Love Demonstrated to Us at Calvary (visible)
  2. His Institution of Paul’s Ministry (visible)
  3. His Written Word, the Holy Bible (visible)
  4. His Spirit Working in Us Who Believe (invisible) – our present-day
  5. His Working with Us at the Rapture and Beyond (visible)

1. HIS LOVE DEMONSTRATED TO US AT CALVARY

To what is God’s love for us tied? Our circumstances? No, Calvary’s cross is where God showed us His wonderful, unconditional love for us! Romans 5:8 says: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Titus 3:4-7: “[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, [5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Indeed, the God of the Bible does care about us. He physically, visibly, and historically manifested His love for us at Calvary’s cross! He wanted to provide us a way of escaping the eternal hellfire that we sinners so deserve; He wanted to have a relationship with us through Jesus Christ! As 2 Corinthians 5:21, God the Father wanted us to be made His righteousness in Jesus Christ when we trust His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [Christ].”

2. HIS INSTITUTION OF PAUL’S MINISTRY

We read in 1 Timothy 2:4-7: “[4] [God, verse 3] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

According to the above passage, the God of the Bible is most definitely concerned with His creation, particularly the human race. He wants every person to be saved, and He wants every saved person to understand why He saved him or her. The one Mediator between the one God and mankind is the Lord Jesus Christ, and no mediator would be necessary if that one God were unconcerned with creation. The point is the God of the Bible is concerned with us, and that is why a Mediator exists between us! It is through the physical, visible, and historical ministry of the Apostle Paul that we learn that God wants to save all Jews and all Gentiles who will trust His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His finished crosswork at Calvary (Paul’s Gospel, the Gospel of the Grace of God, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It is by this means that God is currently forming the Church the Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:11–3:11).

Titus 1:1-3 continues: “[1] Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; [2] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; [3] But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;” In Acts chapter 9, the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ reached down and saved Saul of Tarsus, and commissioned him as His Apostle of the Gentiles (cf. Romans 11:13).

We read of Paul’s conversion from his own lips in Acts 26:12-18 (we read similar accounts in Acts 9:1-9 and Acts 22:1-11). Notice how the Lord Jesus Christ visibly intervened in human history, how Saul of Tarsus saw a bright light from heaven above and he heard the voice of Jesus Christ from heaven above. How this salvation experience affects us is in verses 16-18: “[12] Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, [13] At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. [14] And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [15] And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. [16] But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; [17] Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, [18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

The Lord Jesus Christ saved Saul of Tarsus to make him His apostle of the Gentiles. By divine commission, Paul the Apostle was sent to us Gentiles to preach a special message to us that He had received from Jesus Christ, and that message would free us from Satan’s spiritual blindness. The Gospel of the Grace of God is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, He shed His sinless blood for our forgiveness, He was buried to put away our sins, and He rose again the third day to give us eternal life when we trust Him and Him alone (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). When we trust in that finished crosswork alone, God the Father “[delivers] us from the power of darkness, and [translates] us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). This will receive fuller treatment later, in point #4.

3. HIS WRITTEN WORD, THE HOLY BIBLE

Over the course of 1500 to 1600 years, God the Holy Spirit moved holy men of God to write down His inspired words. This covered the time from before Moses (Job, circa 1550 B.C.) to the first century A.D. Over time, these manuscripts were copied, collated, and bound, and they are, in our present-day, preserved for us in English in the King James Bible. God has promised to not only preserve His Word forever, but every word in His Word. In order for Calvary’s crosswork to benefit us, God had to ensure that the text of that doctrine would be available to us. Bible inspiration and Bible preservation go hand-in-hand, for without a preserved Bible, point #4 would be impossible. Without Bible preservation, Bible inspiration is useless to us.

  • Psalm 100:5: “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
  • Psalm 12:6-7: “[6] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. [7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
  • Psalm 33:11: “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
  • Isaiah 29:18: “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.”
  • Isaiah 30:8: “Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:”
  • Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Also Mark 13:31 and Luke 21:33.)

4. HIS SPIRIT WORKING IN US WHO BELIEVE

In our opening comments, we noted how many in Christendom today are seeking “God” in the form of miraculous demonstrations—angelic appearances, trips to heaven or hell for brief glimpses, bodily healing, financial deliverance, romantic-life rejuvenation, and so on. To deny God doing those things today is to commit “blasphemy” against organized religion, and sure to cause you to get negative feedback! Still, we seek God’s approval, not man’s approval (2 Timothy 2:15; Galatians 1:10).

The Holy Spirit through Paul could not be clearer: “(For we walk by faith, not by sight: )” (2 Corinthians 5:7). To repeat, the Scriptures say that we are not walking by sight; we are walking by faith. It is not important for us to see God’s activities with our physical eyes. That is what God said in His Word. Will we believe Him, or will we reject Him and do whatever we want for sake of holding to our religious tradition? Again, we remind you of what people say and do when they look outside of the Bible for confirmation of God’s love for them. “Oh, if God really loved me, He would heal me, He would get rid of my financial debt, He would keep me from accidents, He would give me a godly spouse and obedient children.” The atheists claim, “If God really existed, He needs to perform a miracle so that I can believe He really is there. If a loving God existed, there would be no sickness or suffering.” This is not walking by faith; this is unbelief, plain and simple.

We looked at these verses earlier, but we need to review them again. Hebrews 11:1 says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” And 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “[16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” God is intervening in our lives in the spiritual dimension, in an area that we cannot see.

The God of the Bible is working in our inner man, soul and spirit. The Bible explains what this is in 1 Thessalonians 2:13: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” God’s Word, the living, life-giving Holy Scriptures, is what God uses to work in those who believe them. Paul prayed for us in Ephesians 3:16, “to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man….” We read about God transforming us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10)—God the Holy Spirit will use His Word that we study and believe to cleanse our minds of error, and cause His power to work in us to do the work of the ministry (witness to lost people, share God’s Word with other Christians, be productive citizens, be godly parents or children, et cetera).

Regarding the triune Godhead, God the Father is for us, God the Son is for us, and God the Holy Ghost is for us. Romans 8:26-34 shows how all three Persons of the Trinity play an active role in our lives as Christians: “[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. [31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

The Holy Spirit, the moment we believed the Gospel of the Grace of God in our hearts, He baptized us into the Church the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). God’s great power was exercised to take us off the path to hell (1 Corinthians 1:18)! God the Father sealed us with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22). The Bible says He forgave us for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 1:14; Colossians 2:13). It is by the teaching ministry of the Holy Ghost that we can learn how God’s grace instructs to live, how to enjoy this new identity and life we have in Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-12: “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

The Holy Spirit teaches us using His written Word: “[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:9-14).

The Holy Spirit uses the Holy Bible to comfort us in times of trouble (2 Corinthians 12:7-10): “[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

The Holy Spirit guides us into righteous living, that we be under grace not law: Galatians 5:18 says “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Again, Titus 2:11-13: “[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” When the Holy Spirit works in our lives, Galatians 5:22-23 says the following will occur: “[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

The Holy Spirit empowers us to endure all of life’s experiences, good or bad. Ephesians 6:10 tells us: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” And Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Finally, Philippians 4:6-7: “[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

5. HIS WORKING WITH US AT THE RAPTURE AND BEYOND

As stated in point #4 above, the moment we believed the Gospel of the Grace of God as the answer to our sin debt, God the Father sealed us with the Holy Spirit. We read in Ephesians 1:13-14: “[13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” The indwelling Holy Spirit is the guarantee of something Father God will do with us in the ages to come (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:22).

We are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). There is coming a day when we members of the Church the Body of Christ will be manifested for all creation to see. Verses 18-25 elaborate: “[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

The Bible calls that event “the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (verse 23). These flesh-and-blood bodies are “vile,” subject to decay and death: they are perishing, growing weaker to eventually die short of the Lord’s coming (2 Corinthians 4:16). Thus, we need new, glorified bodies, just like Jesus Christ’s resurrected glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 explains: “[20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Commonly called “the Rapture” (from the Latin word translated “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17), this event is described in great detail in 1 Corinthians 15:40-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

In another place in Scripture, this event is called “our gathering together unto [Jesus Christ]” (2 Thessalonians 2:1). We also read about in Titus chapter 2: “[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” These “good works” are not just meant to be on the earth, but in the heavenly places. The way Jesus Christ will “subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:21) is to give us—the Church that is His Body—new bodies so that we can function in the heavenly places for His glory. Ephesians 2:6-7 affirms: “[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” God the Father will use us to fill up the heavenly places with His Word! We will rule over the angels (1 Corinthians 6:3).

CONCLUSION

People look at Israel’s program instead of looking at what God is doing today. They are not “rightly dividing the word of truth” like 2 Timothy 2:15 says, and they are making their lives empty and miserable. We do not need signs because we are not Israel. “The Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22a). In fact, we have something better than a miracle, a supernatural experience, et cetera. We have the written, inspired Word of God preserved in our language, the King James Bible. We walk by faith in that written Word of God, not by sight!

The Apostle Peter wrote 2 Peter 1:19-21: “[19] We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” In the previous verses, Peter discussed the events of the Mount of Transfiguration, when he saw Jesus Christ glorified. Peter confessed that the Bible is the “more sure [trustworthy] word of prophecy.” We have something better than miraculous demonstrations; we have a Book, one that the Holy Spirit wrote and preserved for us to read, study, and believe. Will we believe it, alone? Or, will we place the authority elsewhere (as in a church/denomination), and thus be guilty of idolatry and unbelief?

We read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” In the Scriptures, we learn how God intervened in human history to die on the cross for our sins, we learn how He intervened in human history to commission our Apostle Paul to minister to us on His behalf, we learn how He intervened in human history to lead holy men to write down His Word so we could have it today in our language, we learn how He intervenes in human history today by teaching us that written Word and causing its doctrine to manifest itself in our lives, and we learn what He will do with us in the heavenly places in the ages to come. Indeed, the God of the Bible is mightily at work!

God is certainly concerned with His creation; otherwise, His work is in vain. He had a purpose in creation, and to be unconcerned with it would surely never bring His purpose to pass because the Adversary (Satan) is active as well. Either we believe God’s Word when He said He would glorify His Son Jesus Christ in heaven and earth, or we disbelieve His Word when He said He would glorify His Son in heaven and earth. Either way, it does not change the fact that God intervened, intervenes, and will intervene in human affairs to bring His will to pass, regardless of what sinful men do to try to hinder it!

Also see:
» Can I trust the King James Bible? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Do we have guardian angels? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» How is Satan’s “policy of evil” operating today? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)

 

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Were there people “in Christ” before Paul?

Were there people “in Christ” before Paul?

WERE THERE PEOPLE “IN CHRIST” BEFORE PAUL?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Were there people “in Christ” before Paul? Would that make them members of the Church the Body of Christ, too? We reply, “For what saith the Scriptures?”

To start off, we need to realize the weightiness of the questions at hand. Critics of Pauline dispensational Bible study object to its doctrine by claiming that there were people in Christ prior to Paul. They aim to diminish Paul’s special ministry and cause the Body of Christ to start outside of his ministry (this is ingenious, because then they could take non-Pauline doctrine and apply it to the Body of Christ, us—they want to steal Israel’s verses and will do anything to get, or attempt to get, that permission!). Their argument can be summarized as Paul not being the first member of the Church the Body of Christ because he himself acknowledged that there were people “in Christ before [him].” Romans 16:7 reads in full: “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Certainly, the Bible is clear that there were people “in Christ” before Paul, but what does “in Christ” mean? Yea, that would make all the difference in the world!

The phrase “in Christ” has a particular meaning in the context, and in this context, it obviously does not refer to the Church the Body of Christ. To use this single verse to teach that people were in the Body of Christ before Paul, is to ignore many other verses that say that Paul was the first member of the Church the Body of Christ. We should not take one enigmatic verse and cast doubt on clear verses—unless we want to advance a denomination or cult’s doctrine, or defend a church tradition that we have heard all of our lives and assumed must be right!

Actually, in the Bible, the phrase “in Christ” is not always a reference to the Church the Body of Christ (this is a misconception on the part of the critics of dispensational Bible study). To be “in Christ” is a transdispensational doctrine—regardless of the dispensation, every saint is “in Christ.” Every lost person is “in Adam” and every saved person is “in Christ”—it is this way throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. No matter what dispensation, if someone is not “in Christ,” that would mean he or she were headed for hell!

Now, here, please be very careful to not misunderstand. In the Bible, not all believers are members of the Church the Body of Christ. Those saved prior to the Apostle Paul were not members of the Body of Christ, and those who will be saved after our dispensation ends, they will not be part of the Body of Christ either—the Body of Christ will be taken to heaven via the Rapture to end our dispensation, and the Body of Christ is not destined to experience God’s wrath (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).

In the Old Testament Scripture, we read about how the nation Israel must be “in the LORD” if she is to be saved unto eternal life, justified before God, forgiven of her sins, ransomed from Satan’s kingdom, et cetera; “in the LORD” is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek “in Christ” (“Christ” and “LORD” [JEHOVAH] are the same Person). Isaiah 45:17 explains: “But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.” Verses 24-25 continue: “[24] Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. [25] In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.”

The nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ are two separate entities; to confuse them is to only confuse ourselves. Israel is made of Jews only, whereas the Church the Body of Christ is made up of Jews and Gentiles who are technically no longer Jew or Gentile, but “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15), “a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ are two separate entities; to confuse them is to only confuse ourselves. Israel is made of Jews only, whereas the Church the Body of Christ is made up of Jews and Gentiles who are technically no longer Jew or Gentile, but “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15), “a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We would do well to remember that Paul is still our apostle (Romans 11:13), that the distinction between Jew and Gentile was done away once he was saved and began his ministry, and that we should not take Israel’s verses (this would include Matthew through John, and early Acts [pre-Acts 9]).

So, in conclusion, were there people “in Christ” before Paul? (Yes, Romans 16:7 says so.) Would that make them members of the Church the Body of Christ, too? (No, “in Christ” is not a term exclusive to the Church the Body of Christ.) When Romans 16:7 says that Andronicus and Junia were “in Christ” before Paul, it simply means they were saved unto eternal life prior to Acts chapter 9, before Paul’s salvation. Andronicus and Junia were Jews who had recognized and trusted Jesus as their Messiah sometime prior to Paul’s salvation. The same Jesus Christ who saved Andronicus and Junia, saved Saul/Paul sometime later! Whether us (the Church the Body of Christ), or redeemed Israel, there is one Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is paying the sin-debt; the same blood shed on Calvary that saves us, is the blood that will save the nation Israel (see Hebrews 10:1-31; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Andronicus and Junia did not join the Body of Christ before Paul, for the Body of Christ did not begin until Paul. (See our study at the end of this article.) Yes, the Bible becomes so clear when we simply let it speak for itself.

Also see:
» When did the Church the Body of Christ begin?
» Was Paul saved by the Gospel of the Kingdom?
» Did Peter and Paul preach the same Gospel?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?, Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?

Why did Jesus Christ stand in Acts 7:55-56?

WHY DID JESUS CHRIST STAND IN ACTS 7:55-56?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Is there any significance as to why Stephen saw Jesus Christ standing at the Father’s right hand in Acts chapter 7? Yes, there most certainly is a fascinating explanation, and you have to be a Bible student to notice it.

According to the marginal notes of one modern “bible” version, “‘Standing’ may mean that Jesus is welcoming Stephen (see verse 59).” Preachers usually offer this explanation when they do not know what to say about the verse—they know they have to say something so they say anything comes to mind, whether or not it makes sense. It is most unfortunate that the common church member will never bother to question that claim, or to investigate it for himself or herself.

Beloved, while it is normally believed that Jesus Christ was standing up to receive Stephen (who was about to be martyred, stoned to death), this simply is not Bible. It is good church tradition, good “preacher talk,” but it is not Bible and it will not be of faith. When we do not know what a verse means, rather than making up an explanation (such as, “Jesus wanted to welcome Stephen into heaven!”), we need to be mature students of Scripture and let God’s Word interpret itself. It is of utmost importance that we study the context of the verse in question, recall any other verses that read similarly, and consult them for enlightenment. Let us do just that here in order to learn some valuable insight.

In Acts chapter 7, the Prophet Stephen, filled with the Holy Ghost, stands before Israel’s Sanhedrin, her ruling religious body, in Jerusalem. Having a glowing face reminiscent of Moses’ (Acts 6:15; cf. Exodus 34:29-30), Stephen details Israel’s long history of unbelief toward JEHOVAH, right up to her rejection and crucifixion of her Messiah Jesus at Calvary a year prior. Stephen says in verses 51-53: “[51] Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: [53] Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

Doctor Luke continues, “[54] When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him [Stephen] with their teeth. [55] But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:54-56).

Stephen claimed that he saw Jesus Christ standing on God the Father’s right hand, which infuriated the unbelieving Jews because they knew the prophetic significance. Notice verses 57-58: “[57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, [58] And cast him out of the city [Jerusalem], and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”

To say that the Jews were mad because Jesus was standing to receive Stephen is utterly silly. The Jews were angry at Stephen’s words already, but the Bible says that they covered their ears once he said he saw Jesus Christ standing at God’s right hand. They knew that Jesus standing would affect them, not Stephen. Just as we would call to mind similar verses, so the Jewish religious leaders recalled the Old Testament prophecies. They knew what Jesus standing meant, and it was not a good thing.

Psalm 110:1 says: “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” We read in Psalm 68:1-2: “[1] Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. [2] As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.” Finally, Isaiah 3:13: “The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.”

When the Apostle Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary, the Holy Ghost said through him to the nation Israel: “[34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:34-36).

Peter, quoting Psalm 110:1, interpreted it for us. Jesus Christ was now glorified in heaven, and He was coming back to earth to judge unbelieving Jews. They were not merely God’s “enemies” (Psalm 110:1), but Peter said they were now His “foes” (Acts 2:35)—they had actively opposed and were still actively opposing God’s purpose and plan for them by rejecting Jesus Christ at Calvary’s cross and being ignorant of the message the Apostles were preaching to them in early Acts. The Bible says in Acts 2:37, “Now when they were heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter urged his convicted Jewish brethren, “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” (Acts 2:38).

When Israel heard Stephen speak in Acts chapter 7, about a year after the events of Acts chapter 2, they were very mindful of what Peter had preached on Pentecost. They knew that the divine wrath that Peter was speaking of, was now even closer, a year closer, in Acts chapter 7! By the time of Acts chapter 7, Israel had exhausted God’s grace; the next event according to prophecy was God’s wrath (Psalm 2:4-5; Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21). She had rejected God the Father (who sent John the Baptist; John 1:6), she had rejected God the Son (at Calvary; John 19:15), and she had rejected God the Holy Ghost (speaking through Israel’s 12 apostles and Stephen; Acts 7:51). Israel had blasphemed against the Holy Ghost, the sin that Jesus said could never be forgiven (Matthew 12:31-32).

Stephen affirmed Jesus Christ was preparing to come back to Earth, to pour out His wrath on unbelieving Israel and unleash His righteous fury on sinful mankind. And, Israel’s religious leaders were convicted. They had had enough of Stephen and his Jesus! Israel’s religious leaders proceeded to abuse God’s prophet Stephen, biting him and finally throwing him out of Jerusalem. Ultimately, the mob threw stones at him until he died. God’s wrath on mankind was literally moments away, but the greatest dispensational change to ever “grace” God’s dealings with man, occurred. Thank God Almighty, that wrath was postponed!

Saul of Tarsus—leader of Israel’s opposition to Christ and His little flock, holder of the clothes of Stephen’s murderers in Acts chapter 7—personally met the Lord Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 9. As Saul was traveling to Damascus to persecute more Messianic Jews, the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Saul from heaven. There, Saul experienced God’s love, mercy, and grace; he trusted Jesus Christ alone as his personal Saviour, and became the first member of the Church the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ commissioned him as the Apostle Paul; thereafter, Paul had another extreme ministry—Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and resurrected (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Years later, Paul wrote of himself in 1 Timothy 1:13-16: “[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 [first]. [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” (1 Timothy 1:13-16).

In order to have mercy on Christ-rejecting Israel as well as on all of us unbelieving Gentiles (Romans 11:30-32), God had to suspend Israel’s prophetic program. To save Saul of Tarsus, God had to begin a new dispensation, a new set of instructions to mankind, a new program, one He had in mind from before creation but had kept secret—the mystery program, or “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1-11). God delayed His wrath yet again. Today, Jesus Christ once more “sits” at the Father’s right hand (Colossians 3:1).

For almost 2,000 years now, that wrath has been delayed. The day is coming when the last person who wants to trust Christ as personal Saviour does so, and our Dispensation of Grace will expire (see Romans 11:25). The Church the Body of Christ will be caught up into heaven, and the seven-year Tribulation, the last seven years of Satan’s reign on planet Earth, will run its course. At the end of those seven years, Jesus Christ will stand, arise from His seated position, at the Father’s right hand in the third heaven, to fulfill all the Old Testament and New Testament prophecies that describe His Second Advent, His return to Earth in great power and glory to finish Satan and his policy of evil. Psalm 2:4-5 says: “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.”

Also see:
» Can you please explain the seven-year Tribulation? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Who will accompany Jesus at His Second Coming?
» What is “the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?”