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DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, How can I have an effectual prayer life?, How can I have an effectual prayer life?, PRAYER

How can I have an effectual prayer life?

HOW CAN I HAVE AN EFFECTUAL PRAYER LIFE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Friend, if you are familiar with sermons on prayer, you have heard at least once a reference to Elijah’s “effectual” praying. James 5:16-18 says: “[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. [17] Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” Why did Elijah pray like this, what was so special about his prayer that God answered it, and how can we have our prayers answered of God? We answer these questions in our special-edition Bible Q&A article #300.

A preacher recently said that his ministry has received over 93 million prayer requests through the years. He estimated that there were “several million” answers to prayer. Yet, what happened to the tens of millions of prayer requests that went “unanswered?” Did God not deem them worthy of an answer? If you were to survey Christians about their prayer lives, there would be an overwhelming response and great concern about unanswered prayer. For example, the aforementioned preacher discussed how he had even prayed over a lifeless girl’s body, and how God never did bring her back! Why is it that people often pray for one outcome and the very opposite occurs?

To further complicate the matter, Jesus said He would do “whatsoever” we asked in His name: “[13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14). Matthew 18:19 is often appealed to regarding prayer: “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” And yet, when two Christians join in prayer, believing exactly what Jesus said, the verses do not work the way one would expect. Why?

Can you see why unanswered prayer is such a sensitive subject? What was to be a blessing is now a burden! What is going on? Does the Almighty throw away prayer requests? If our prayer requests go unanswered, then why bother to pray at all? Elijah in James 5:16-18 provides valuable insight into this most personal and most perplexing topic.

PRAYER: WHAT BELIEVERS DO

The Apostle James, writing to believing Israel (1:1), says in James 5:16: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Prayer, in the Bible, is something that “righteous” people do, that believers do, not lost people. That being said, there is no so-called “sinner’s prayer” in the Bible for lost people to pray to be saved. Saved people pray in the Bible.

If you were to take a concordance and find and consider the Bible verses concerning prayer (especially the contents of believers’ actual prayers), you would see that they were always mindful of God’s Word to them. God spoke to them first and then they spoke to God: prayer according to God’s will is absolutely, unquestionably, essential.

According to James, when a saved person prays fervently (intensely, wholeheartedly), that prayer is “effectual” (it will bring about the result that God desired). It will “avail much.” There is much profit in prayer, and James says that these believing Jews are to pray for one another, that they be healed. He provides an Old Testament example, Elijah. By the way, “Elias” is “Elijah’s” Hebrew name in Greek (the language of the New Testament Scriptures)—the Greek language does not have a “j” or an “h.”

Elijah lived in a time of great spiritual wickedness in Israel (the northern kingdom, the 10 northern tribes). King Ahab and Queen Jezebel made Baal worship the official state religion of the northern kingdom. This pagan idolatry seduced the Jews, drawing them away from JEHOVAH God (in direct violation of the first and second commandments of Exodus 20:1-6). As a believer and a prophet, Elijah knew God’s Word to him before he prayed to God.

PRAYER: ELIJAH’S MINISTRY

We read in 1 Kings chapter 16: “[29] And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. [30] And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. [31] And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. [32] And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. [33] And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.”

Yes, Ahab was a devilish king (the perfect match for devilish Queen Jezebel!!). As if his predecessor Jeroboam were not wicked enough, Ahab outdid him… and the other previous wicked kings of the northern kingdom, too! Ahab “did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.” He married a pagan woman, someone who rejected JEHOVAH God, and then he built a house and an altar for the pagan god Baal in JEHOVAH’S land! He also made a “grove” (another place of false religious worship). “And Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.” The nation followed him in that error! This rank paganism is the context of the Prophet Elijah’s ministry. Now we begin to see why he prayed as he did in James 5:17-18.

In the closing verses of the sixteenth chapter of 1 Kings, we learn of the ascension of a new king in Israel (the northern kingdom)—Ahab. As Aquila and Priscilla made a great husband-wife ministry team for the LORD in the New Testament Scriptures, Ahab and Jezebel made a great husband-wife “ministry” team for the Devil in the Old Testament Scriptures! Ahab and Jezebel encouraged the common Jews to worship the pagan god Baal: Ahab built a house for Baal, an altar for Baal, and a grove (trees carved into poles used as a heathen shrine). Later on, Jezebel did not think twice about eliminating competition—she killed the prophets (messengers) of JEHOVAH, even attempting to slay Elijah!

Israel’s decline into paganism under Ahab and Jezebel, both in its leadership and general public, caused the Holy Spirit to move in the Prophet Elijah and confront Ahab: “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kings 17:1). Of all judgments, why did Elijah select a drought?

Elijah knew that Israel’s operating system was the Mosaic Law. Moses had said in Deuteronomy 11:16-17: “[16] Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; [17] And then the LORD’S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.” Elijah simply studied his Bible to find out what JEHOVAH would do in response to Israel’s pagan idolatry, and Elijah prayed for that to happen.

With idolatrous Ahab and Jezebel leading Israel, Baal (devil) worship infiltrated the northern 10 Jewish tribes. The seventeenth chapter of 1 Kings states that Elijah the prophet confronted Ahab, and told him that it would not rain for some time. Over 600 years earlier, JEHOVAH had warned Israel through Moses that, if the nation embraced heathen religion (idolatry), a drought was imminent and Israel’s crops would fail (Deuteronomy 11:16-17). Elijah simply prayed in line with what God was doing with Israel concerning the Mosaic Law—if Israel failed to keep the Law, if she worshipped and served other gods, she would be cursed of the one true God.

The drought came, just as Elijah prayed and Moses predicted. It affected Elijah, but God miraculously took care of him using ravens and a poor widow woman (1 Kings 17:2-24). By the time chapter 18 opens, it is “the third year” of the drought. God instructs Elijah to go to Ahab and say on His behalf, “I will send rain upon the earth” (verse 1). There is a “sore [severe] famine” in the land, but God says that it is coming to an end. Ahab does not repent at God’s Word through Elijah (unbelieving Ahab is ignorant of Deuteronomy 11:16,17). Instead of confessing his sin of idolatry, or encouraging Israel to do likewise, Ahab searches desperately for food for the horses and mules, that all the beasts not die (verse 5). Ironically, Ahab, guilty of corrupting Israel, asked Elijah in verse 17, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?”

While we must now break away from the story of Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel (you can read the resolution in 1 Kings chapters 18-21), we will return to the subject of unanswered prayer, its cause and cure.

When God made the covenant of Law with Israel at Sinai, Moses made it very clear to them that they had to obey all of God’s commandments to receive His blessings (Exodus 19:3-6). If they broke that contract, He judged them, not to get even but to reform them (which reformation they usually refused). According to chapter 20, verses 1-6, the first two of the Ten Commandments forbade Israel from worshipping and serving other gods, and from making graven (carved) images. During the reign of evil Ahab, Elijah prayed for a drought because that is what God said He would do in the case of Israel’s idolatry. A drought came and lasted 3½ years (cf. James 5:16-18; Luke 4:25,26).

What if Elijah had prayed for a global flood? That would have certainly gotten Ahab’s attention! After all, did God not promise in Genesis chapter 6 that He would flood the world because of its wickedness? Certainly. Why did Elijah not behave like today’s “name-it-and-claim-it” proponents, grabbing random verses, ripping them from their contexts, attempting to make God grant his selfish desires?

Firstly, Elijah recognized the dispensational boundary between Genesis chapter 9 and his day. God was not dealing with Israel on the basis of the promises He had made to Noah and his contemporaries. Genesis chapter 6 was not God’s Word to or about Israel. However, Deuteronomy was God’s Word to and about Israel, and because Deuteronomy was in God’s will for Israel, Elijah prayed in accordance with it. Secondly, God promised never to flood the world again (Genesis 9:8-17). Had Elijah not recognized these two facts, had Elijah not recognized God’s Word to him (as a member of the nation Israel), his prayer would have gone unanswered and he would have been disappointed and confused.

This corrected view of Elijah’s prayer thus adjusts our view of prayer.

PRAYER: BELIEVING AND SPEAKING GOD’S WORD TO YOU

Elijah believed God’s Word to him. He had a dispensational view of the Scriptures: he did not “name and claim” for Israel verses that God had not spoken to or about Israel. Elijah’s prayer life was patterned after God’s Word to the nation Israel, of which he was a member. There was pagan idolatry in Israel; Deuteronomy 11:16-17 predicted that God would shut up the heaven and prevent rain from watering Israel’s crops; and Elijah’s will was to pray in perfect accordance with JEHOVAH’S will. Elijah was not disappointed because He did not try to make God do something He never said He would do. If only the average church member could take to heart and practice the integrity with which Elijah handled the Holy Bible.

Prayer meetings and prayer requests prove most people are asking God to do something He never said He would do for us. No wonder there are so many unanswered prayers! People are grabbing Israel’s verses, promises God made to Israel, and making as though those verses are to or about us. Preachers talk about literally raising the dead as Jesus did; or literally laying hands on sick people as Jesus did and having them miraculously recover without medical intervention; or God miraculously adding zeros to the end of our bank accounts as He did with Abraham, Isaac, Job, and King Solomon; or God sending angels to protect us as He did with the apostles, the kingdom of Judah, and Peter.

Dear friends, unanswered prayer is not because God is unable or uninterested. Remember, we cannot limit God but we cannot force Him, either. Still, God is God, and He can limit Himself. If He says He is not going to do something, we would be unwise to think that we were God by making Him do what we want.

Once, I spoke with a dear Christian woman who was confused about prayer. She was surprised to learn that the so-called “Lord’s Prayer” had nothing to do with us in the Dispensation of Grace. Yes, strange as it sounds, a prayer that 99.9 percent of Christendom has repeated, and still repeats, over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over as though it affects us, is actually a prayer that has nothing to do with what God is doing today! While many use that prayer as a model prayer, they have not studied their Bibles to learn there are four model prayers especially for the Body of Christ. (For more info, please see our study on “The ‘Lord’s Prayer’” linked at the end of this study.)

When a Christian comes to understand dispensational Bible study, his or her prayer life falls apart. It happened to me, and many others I know. They learn that they were either praying like Israel (the “Lord’s Prayer”) or praying like heathen (mindless, repetitious, man-made prescribed prayers). It will be a happy day in the lives of millions of Christians when they learn that God’s spokesman to them is the Apostle Paul, “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). They will save themselves years upon years, yea decades, of confusion, heartache, and disappointment. (Still, the vast majority of professing Christians rebel at dispensational Bible study, refusing to break their erroneous prayer habits because that would contradict long-held tradition.)

Beloved, it bears repeating—prayer is designed to be a response of God’s Word to you. Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, are God’s Word to you, so if you are unfamiliar with God’s Word to you, you will be praying apart from God’s will. You will not see God work because you will not know what He is doing. Indeed, dispensational Bible study revolutionizes your Bible understanding and your prayer life.

Elijah could no more make God bring in a global flood as in the days of Noah, than we can make God fulfill Israel’s verses in our Dispensation of Grace. As Elijah recognized the dispensational boundary between his day and Noah’s day, so we acknowledge the dispensational boundary between Elijah’s day and our day. As a friend and coworker in the ministry always says, “We have never been big enough a day in our lives to make God do something He is not doing.”

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “Continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Certainly, prayer is a vital part of Christian living, but unfortunately, too many believers pray like Israel or like heathen. There rarely is any genuine Christian prayer, so there rarely is any answered prayer!

So, if we are not to pray like Israel, and not to pray like heathen, how then should we to pray? Just as Elijah let God’s spokesman to him, Moses, teach him how to pray, we turn to God’s spokesman to us, Paul, and let him teach us how to pray. However the Holy Spirit prayed for us through Paul, how Paul prayed in the Holy Spirit for us, is how the Holy Spirit will pray for other Christians through us, how we ought to pray in the Holy Spirit.

Friends, Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, make it so plain what God is doing today. His will has been clearly revealed, and we are to study those books and make it our will to pray that His will be accomplished. We are not making God doing anything, but rather reminding ourselves of what He already said He would do. Romans 1:8-12, 1 Corinthians 1:4-8, Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 1:3-11, Colossians 1:3-12, 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Timothy 1:3-5, and Philemon 4-6 are all instances of how the Apostle Paul prayed for other Christians. The Berean Bible student will study and consider them, and adjust his or her prayer life accordingly.

Firstly, Paul thanked God for other believers. He constantly reminded himself that he was not alone in the Christian ambassadorship. Other people were in the world also suffering for Jesus Christ’s sake, but God’s grace was working in them and so it would work in him in spite of the opposition. He was continually mindful that, as an apostle, God had commissioned him to take care of the Church the Body of Christ. The grace saints in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse, Thessalonica, and in other cities and regions, they were his fruit. It was important that he thus constantly remind himself of God’s Word to him and them, that he see that God’s will for him be accomplished regarding them!

Secondly, Paul prayed that these Christians grow spiritually. He did not want them to be “babes in Christ,” but fully mature sons of God! The Apostle wanted them to “come unto the knowledge of truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). He wanted them to understand the doctrines of grace as he had come to know them from Jesus Christ Himself. He prayed that God’s grace would work mightily in them to produce the life of Jesus Christ in and through them! He wanted them to understand God’s power, that the power of God that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, would work in them when they would believe those grace doctrines.

Let us study Pauline prayer in greater detail.

PRAYER: THE SPEECH OF THE SOUL IN LIGHT OF THE RENEWED MIND

All too often today prayer is reduced to mere posture and procedure—kneel at the railing, or enter your prayer closet, cross your heart, close your eyes, bow your head, use prayer beads or prayer wheels, and recite what you have read in a prayer book. Dear friends, prayer at its fundamental level is none of those things. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Are you going to stay kneeling literally every moment? Should your eyes be closed every second? Is your head to be bowed 24 hours a day, seven days a week? If prayer is kneeling, closing eyes, and bowing heads, then yes, yes, and yes. The truth is, prayer in the Bible is not some formalistic practice, so no, no, and no!

When barren Hannah prayed to the LORD, she told the priest Eli, “I have poured out my soul before the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:15). David wrote to Israel, “Ye people, pour out your heart before him” (Psalm 62:8). Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” The “heart,” our soul, our innermost being, is that which we use to believe God’s Word. Prayer is speaking to God what is in our hearts, and if we have studied and believed our Bible, then we will be speaking to God what He told us. Again, this is consistent view of prayer, regardless of dispensation.

Brethren, we are to be constantly reminding ourselves of Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. “Meditate on these things” (1 Timothy 4:15). “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7). Day in and day out, we should be thinking about God’s Word to us, reminding ourselves of what He said to us. This is Pauline prayer. This is answered prayer.

PRAYER: HOW OUR APOSTLE PAUL LEARNED TO PRAY

Rabbi Shaul was one of the most educated Mosaic scholars of his day. From a very early age, he had studied the Mosaic Law. Learning those Old Testament scrolls, he came to understand that whenever his people Israel suffered any sickness/plague, war, calamity, et cetera, it was divine punishment. He noted how Israel’s conversion and prayer resulted in God removing the problem.

Once “Rabbi Shaul” became “Apostle Paul,” he was intensely persecuted. To Gentiles and Jews alike, he was a renegade Jew, a peculiar fellow. Formerly a religious leader who could not stand to even hear the name “Jesus of Nazareth,” now a “religious leader” who could not stand to be silent about the name of Jesus Christ! Now that he was not preaching Judaism, Israel was after him! Now that he was preaching an illegal religion, Rome was after him! Now that he was not preaching blasphemy, Satan was after him!

We read in 2 Corinthians chapter 12: “[6] For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. [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.” Satan afflicted Paul with something that constantly irritated him (there is Scriptural evidence that it was likely ophthalmic in nature). Three times Paul prayed to the Lord for deliverance, and Paul was shocked to learn the Lord’s answer.

The ascended, risen, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed the mystery to the Apostle Paul over the course of nearly 35 years. This information was completely different from what God had revealed to the Old Testament prophets, the writings Paul had studied intensely when he was lost (see Romans 16:25,26, Ephesians 3:1-12, and Colossians 1:23-27). Now that God had ushered in a new dispensation, Paul had to think differently about God. He had to quit praying according to the old divine revelation, and pray according to the new divine revelation.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, after talking about the various visions and revelations of Jesus Christ he had, Paul discusses how he was humbled: “[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.”

“We know not what we should pray for as we ought” (Romans 8:26b). Since there was more revelation from God coming, Paul was, in 2 Corinthians 12:8, not praying according to the new program. He was still thinking of God’s promise to deliver Israel from problems. Verse 9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” There, in that awful, vexing circumstance, Paul learned one thing—God had given the grace, the capacity, to endure it. Rather than deliverance, Jesus Christ promised inner strength, inner fortification, inner power, to bear the trouble. Paul had to readjust his view of problems and prayer, and we will let him tell us how we should go about doing it.

It is no secret that there is much suffering in this fallen world: where there is sin, sorrow is sure to follow. But, because of prayer, there does not have to be misery. My heart truly goes out to people who are suffering and hurting, and who are confused about unanswered prayers for deliverance. It is with the utmost care that we remind them to look at their problems the way the Apostle Paul finally learned to look at his “thorn in the flesh.”

Initially, Paul, assuming it was harmful, begged the Lord three times for deliverance. Verse 9 of 2 Corinthians chapter 12 says, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, “Paul, I have something far better in mind for you than deliverance! You are weak but I am strong! I have already given you enough grace, an inner capacity, to handle your problem!” What was Paul’s reply? “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Paul finally saw the value in times of suffering. Jesus Christ’s power would bear him up. Rather than the troubles destroying him, He would use them to Paul’s advantage.

The Berean Bible student will notice, “He said unto me…,” a direct reference to God’s spoken Word. We have to see what God says to us. We find God’s Word to us about suffering in other passages such as Romans 5:1-5, Romans 8:18-28, 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. There are so many dear precious saints praying to escape their problems, when Jesus Christ has already said He wants to live in them in the midst of those difficulties! Let us now see how we are to pray in difficult circumstances.

PRAYER: A NEW WAY TO PRAY IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

Many precious Christians all around the world, suffering various difficult circumstances, are fervently praying for God to remove those tribulations (remember Paul?). Yet, the troubles remain (remember Paul?). They wonder, “Does God love me? Do I have enough faith? Is there unconfessed sin hindering my prayers? Am I even really saved?” Such disappointment, misery, and confusion!

Beloved, remember, prayer is talking to God in light of His Word to you. The most basic fallacy in modern-day prayer-practice and prayer-preaching is to grab God’s Word to Israel, and make it apply to us. Whether it is “the Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13), or “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do” (John 14:14), or “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19), none of these verses apply to us. God the Holy Spirit never gave us the Church the Body of Christ any such verses in Romans through Philemon. In fact, as we already saw in Paul’s epistles (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), we find God saying “No” three times to Paul’s prayer for deliverance.

Surely, God’s dealings with Israel and God’s dealings are different. In Israel’s program, calamity was a sign of disobedience and God’s punishment of it. However, when we come to this the Dispensation of Grace, problems are not something to flee. God is not mad at us; we are forgiven and accepted in Christ. We suffer trouble in this fallen creation, but we need to always be mindful that God promises to get us through our trying times, not take us out of them. In difficult circumstances, we need to repeat to Him in prayer what He told us in Scripture.

The “dispensations,” or sets of divine revelation that mankind is to believe and obey during precise time periods, change throughout time. Prayers are spoken according to God’s instructions specific to that time, so the contents of believers’ prayers vary from Genesis through Revelation. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). There is much profit in prayer today, provided that we pray in accordance with the “Dispensation of Grace” (Ephesians 3:2—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon). Prayer reminds us of the Scriptures applicable to the current dispensation and our life circumstances: if we pray in accordance with a former dispensation (such as God’s Word to Israel), prayer will not impact our Christian lives as God intended, thus resulting in more unbelief, disappointment, and confusion.

Two of the best prayer verses for this dispensation is what our Apostle Paul wrote in 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.” What great memory verses!

We should “pray without ceasing” and “in every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:17,18). Regardless of circumstances, we pray “in every thing,” and we are thankful “in every thing.” Remembering God’s Word to us about those circumstances will give us His wisdom and peace in those circumstances. We need to constantly think about God’s Word to us, whether about marriage, employment, schooling, parenting, finances, illness, or whatever—Paul’s epistles say something about all of these life topics. Start by reading Romans chapter 12, Ephesians chapter 4, and Colossians chapter 3. Beloved, when we pray the Pauline way, we will guard ourselves from frustration and bewilderment, and our prayers will “avail much!”

Friend, have you ever wondered why, even after people pray for angelic protection (citing Psalm 91:11-12), they are injured or killed in some accident? Or, why the sick die after they are anointed with “holy oil” and prayed over for healing (quoting James 5:13-15)? Or, why people pray for God to send them “miracle checks” in the mail to pay their outrageous bills (citing Deuteronomy 8:18), and they receive no such checks? Why prayers for vehicles, spouses, houses, job promotions, et cetera, usually never come about? (Unfortunately, these precious people lack dispensational Bible study, the key to Bible understanding, and desperately seeking a resolution to the confusion, they fall prey to “ministry” shams and scams.)

Paul’s epistles never mention guardian angels. Angels have no ministry to us: they do not serve us as they did Israel. Paul and his ministry companions suffered a variety of problems. No “guardian angels” rescued Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:22-27 (a passage replete with stonings, beatings, shipwrecks, ambushes, imprisonments, hunger, thirst, weariness, painfulness, poverty, nakedness, and cold)! After experiencing this partial listing of problems, Paul’s life ended… with evil Emperor Nero beheading him!

The Apostle’s extensive abuse and excessive torture endured over his 30 years of travelling, he undoubtedly had health issues (massive scar tissue, maiming, maybe broken bones and/or lameness). Some of his “infirmities” are in 2 Corinthians 12:10 and Galatians 4:13-15. How did Paul ever survive those hardships? How did he not give up? It was God’s grace working in him. He remembered God’s grace was sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). God’s grace was sufficient for ill Timothy (1 Timothy 5:23) and sick Trophimus (2 Timothy 4:20), and for the poor Macedonian Christians (2 Corinthians 8:1,2). This grace is sufficient for us too, and we are mindful of it when praying in our circumstances, good and bad.

Some have erroneously concluded that unless we use the same words Elijah used, we will not see results from God. The greater fallacy, however, is to mix our Dispensation of Grace with Israel’s Dispensation of Law. While we can pray for God to demonstrate Himself as when He did with Israel (signs, miracles, wonders), God will not do it because He never said it to us. As we saw “long ago,” God hearkened to Elijah because he was quoting Scripture that applied to him. Elijah valued (believed) God’s Word, he wanted God’s will accomplished, and because he prayed for God to do what He had already said He would do, Elijah saw God’s response!

What is God’s will in this the Dispensation of Grace? “[God our Saviour] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Today, God wants lost people to trust Jesus Christ (Paul’s Gospel; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) to be saved from a devil’s hell, and He wants saved people to trust His Word to them (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon; Romans 11:13) to be saved from a devil’s lifestyle!

Firstly, we should pray for lost people to be saved from their sins by trusting Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as the sufficient payment for their sins. Secondly, we need to pray for fellow Christians to learn how to understand and enjoy the Bible. Thus, we will be motivated to share the Gospel of Grace with lost people, and share dispensational Bible truths with Christians. God wants law-abiding leaders and citizens, godly husbands and fathers, virtuous wives and mothers, obedient children, hardworking employees, benevolent employers, and faithful saints who maintain the local assembly. Beloved, honestly, we Christians need to quit wasting our time praying denominational prayers and we need to start praying for these things! Just imagine such transformation!

When we pray for things and do not get them, it is not because God is unconcerned or unloving. Oh, dear saint, never entertain such foolishness! Unanswered prayer results when we demand He do for us what He said He would do only for Israel. Rather than praying as denominational tradition encourages—asking God to remove or protect us from problems (“give me good health, safe trips, ‘miracle debt cancellation,’” and so on)—we remember God’s attitude concerning contentment, that Jesus Christ strengthens us to handle all circumstances, good and bad (Philippians 4:11-13).

Father God is concerned, for He gave us His power to endure our difficulties. We find value in tribulations, for these troubles work patience, which works experience, which works hope, and hope makes us not ashamed, “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1-5). Troubling times remind us that we are weak, insufficient in and of ourselves; however, God’s grace, love, and power will get us through them. We rely more on Him, experiencing more fully and using the provisions He gave us in His Son: His peace consoles us in our difficult circumstances (2 Corinthians 1:3-11).

Our focus should not be on what we can see (physical circumstances), but, by faith, seeing what we cannot physically see—God’s Word working in us as we endure those troubles (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). “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” (Romans 8:18; see also verses 19-28). The indwelling Holy Spirit takes this sound doctrine that we believe and pray (Romans 8:26,27), and activates it (1 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 4:12), causing us to not only understand it but enabling us to have the life the doctrine describes.

CONCLUSION

James 5:16-18: “[16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. [17] Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. [18] And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Why did Elijah pray like this, what was so special about his prayer that God answered it, and how can we have our prayers answered of God?

Prayer, at its fundamental level, is talking to God in light of His Word to us. When saints in Israel’s program prayed, they saw visible manifestations of divine intervention. They saw angels, they saw miraculous healings and raisings of the dead, and so on, because that is what God said He would do for them (“the Jews require a sign;” 1 Corinthians 1:22). What did Jesus say to Israel? “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe!” (John 4:48). Actually, according to Jesus, anyone asking for a miracle today is really saying, “God, I need a miracle before I believe!”

Dispensational Bible study guards against such Bible mishandling. There are no such promises of signs, miracles, and wonders, given to us in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. Rather, God is working invisibly today. “We walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Today, God’s Word is working in us when we believe it, to “renew our minds” (Romans 12:2), to “renew our inner man” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Paul, our pattern, was never spared trouble. Rather, he had God’s power so that the trouble would not destroy him. This is our identity in Jesus Christ, our provisions in Jesus Christ, to handle all circumstances, good or bad (Philippians 4:13).

We should not use prayer as a “use-the-right-words-to-get-something-from-God” scheme. Prayer is simply an intelligent understanding to what God has already said in His Word, what He has already given us in Christ, and then believing and repeating it back to Him so that that Word works in us. Prayer is designed to be a blessing, not a burden as religious confusion makes it. Dispensational Bible study is thus critical to our prayer life, for without right division, we would have no prayer life at all! Let us never forget to pray the Pauline way! 🙂

Also see:
» How should I pray?
» Should I pray “The Lord’s Prayer?”
» Should I pray or speak in tongues?

NOTE: We are greatly delighted to formally announce the grand reopening of our online Bible study resource bookstore! Currently, we have 60 booklets available for purchase, encompassing over 450 studies, 20 themes, and over 3,000 pages. Catalogs and ordering info can found at https://arcgraceministries.org/in-print/booklets-bible-q-a/. We are honored to provide this service to you and these written materials for you! Your support of the ministry is greatly appreciated! Please share this with others.

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Ephesians 3:15—Who are God’s family in heaven and on earth?

Ephesians 3:15—Who are God’s family in heaven and on earth?

EPHESIANS 3:15—WHO ARE GOD’S FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Ephesians 3:15 says, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named….” In certain churches, you will hear the phrases “the church militant” and “the church triumphant.” Allegedly, Ephesians 3:15 is talking about Christians who remain here on Earth still fighting the battle (“militant”), and Christians who have died and are now enjoying peace in Heaven (“triumphant”). Is this a sound interpretation of Ephesians 3:15? Dear friends, we will examine the context to find out!

The issue of Heaven and Earth first appears in the book of Ephesians in chapter 1. It would do us well to read verses 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.”

Ephesians loops back to Genesis 1:1—“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” According to Ephesians 1:10, God the Father will gather all things in Heaven and on Earth in His Son Christ Jesus. These “things” are offices of government, as delineated in Colossians chapter 1: “[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.”

The closing verses of Ephesians chapter 2 say: “[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.”

Prior to the beginning of the Church the Body of Christ, God had the nation Israel as His earthly people. With the salvation and commissioning of the Apostle Paul, God begins to form the Church the Body of Christ, His heavenly people. Israel will be His instrument in the Earth; the Body of Christ will be His instrument in the Heavenly Places. We are “fellowcitizens with the saints;” that is, by virtue of our faith in Christ’s shed blood, we have joined God’s family to become spiritual relatives of those who were saved unto eternal life before the Body of Christ. As believing Israelites were in Christ, saved by the blood of Christ, so are we in Christ (as opposed to being in Adam, lost, unsaved, hell-bound).

We, the Church the Body of Christ, are God’s heavenly people. Note verses 20-23 of Ephesians chapter 1: “[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”

Also, the Bible says in Ephesians 2:6-7: “[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.” And, Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Finally, we read in Ephesians 3:9-11: “[9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

Before Paul wrote Ephesians 3:15—“Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”—he had written chapters 1 and 2. God already had a people in Israel, but that was an earthly people. When He started the Church the Body of Christ with the Apostle Paul, God began to form a heavenly people for Himself. The issue of God’s family in Heaven and God’s family on Earth is talking about the Church the Body of Christ (Heaven) and the nation Israel (Earth). God the Father will exalt His Son Jesus Christ in Heaven and Earth. Jesus Christ has a family in Heaven (Body of Christ) and a family in Earth (Israel). This glorification will be executed in the ages to come using the Church the Body of Christ in Heaven and the nation Israel in the Earth. People with denominational eyeglasses do not see this, so they invent some nonsense about “church triumphant” and “church militant.” They need to study their Bibles! Dispensational Bible study is the key to understanding Ephesians 3:15!!

Ephesians 1:9-10: “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 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.”

Also see:
» Can you explain Colossians 3:3-4?
» Who were the people who were saved before Paul?
» Who is “the Israel of God” of Galatians 6:16?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Was the Apostle Paul a false prophet?

Was the Apostle Paul a false prophet?

WAS THE APOSTLE PAUL A FALSE PROPHET?

by Shawn Brasseaux

DEDICATION: Several years ago, a brother and colleague-friend in our ministry emailed me to assist him in answering his friend’s chief objection to dispensational Bible study. That brother in Christ submitted his friend’s question to me via email (reproduced in the opening paragraph below). At that time, I wrote a quick study to him so he could answer his friend’s complaints. That brother was greatly appreciative, and proved to be very helpful in publicizing our ministry in the coming years.

Just a few months ago, his life was tragically taken and he graduated to heaven’s glory. In light of his passing to be with our Lord Jesus Christ, our original study prepared for him and his friend has been expanded nearly 10-fold to become our special-edition Bible Q&A article #275. We will always be grateful to Father God for Him using “D.B.W.” to lead us to where we are today with this study and many others.
___

“I have a question about Matthew 24, where Jesus warned the Apostles about false prophets and such that will come in His name but do not believe them. I have a buddy who believes Paul is one of the false witnesses claiming to see Jesus and starting another Gospel to disrupt the Gospel of Kingdom all as a plot by the Romans to kill Christianity from the inside out! Any feedback would be great.”

I. OPENING COMMENTS & BRIEF BACKGROUND

Friend, how awful! I am well aware that many today in religion slander and ridicule the Apostle Paul. Yes, they deny he was an apostle. They call him a false prophet. Some have even gone so far as to rip the 13 books of Romans through Philemon entirely from their Bibles! (And these hypocritical people have the audacity to accuse us of “throwing away Scripture” when we emphasize the Pauline epistles?!) Note the following email response I received about one of our Bible studies: “Paul was an apostle of Satan. His books need to be torn out of the Bible.” What pathetic ignorance written by so-called “adults.” Worst of all, I am afraid it is more common than we think! Your “buddy” is yet another case in point. Friend, we would be delighted to give an intelligent, Scriptural answer to those who malign Paul the Apostle as a “false prophet.” To the Scriptures! I will also show you how to defend Paul’s apostleship and epistles without appealing to his epistles (since his critics reject them).

II. PAUL’S EPISTLES WERE ATTACKED IN HIS OWN DAY

We should not be surprised to hear people condemning Paul’s epistles today. After all, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Peter testified in his final epistle, 2 Peter, and third chapter: “[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

Some 2,000 years ago, the Apostle Peter called the Apostle Paul our “beloved brother.” Peter identified Paul’s writings as “Scripture.” If Paul were a false prophet, then it stands to reason, Peter too would have been a “false prophet” for endorsing him! (Are we so brazen as to castigate and destroy Peter’s apostleship, as well?) Nay, Paul was not the deceptive one. Those who pervert Paul’s epistles and slander him, Peter says they are the deceptive ones! Note how Peter declares people in his day were “wresting” (perverting) the Scriptures—including Paul’s epistles. The Apostle Peter said individuals were corrupting the Pauline epistles, and all the Word of God, in order to suit their own religious biases and church traditions. What better example of corrupting the Word of God could there be than a blatant denial and outright rejection of 13 books—roughly half—of the “New Testament” Scriptures?

III. PAUL WAS FALSELY ACCUSED OF LYING IN HIS OWN DAY

We should not be surprised to hear people denying Paul’s testimony today. There is one reference in the Bible to Paul being “slanderously reported” (Romans 3:8). Individuals were attempting to discredit him by misquoting and misrepresenting him. Furthermore, on four occasions, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I lie not” (Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20; 1 Timothy 2:7). Just as people call Paul a “fraud” and a “liar” today, so they called him that while he was still ministering on Earth some 20 centuries ago! Satan never quits, friends—he never quits!

It would do us well to quickly survey those four instances where Paul denied lying. We just may encounter him answering charges that people still spew against him today.

  1. Romans 9:1-2: “[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, [2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.” If you read the subsequent verses and chapters (9-11), you can see how Paul affirms that he loves the nation Israel. He was wrongly accused of hating Israel. Yes, he indicted them for killing their Messiah. Indeed, he preached that Israel had fallen before God. Nevertheless, it was the truth that Jesus Christ had sent him to proclaim, and he did it boldly. Israel had certainly conspired against and murdered the Lord Jesus Christ. And, of course, Paul knew it firsthand. As Saul of Tarsus, he himself had led the Jews in that rebellion against Jesus and His Jewish followers (Acts 7:57-58; Acts 8:1-4; Acts 9:1-6,13-14; Acts 22:4,8; Acts 26:9-11; Galatians 1:12,23; 1 Timothy 1:13)! Now, as God’s apostle of the Gentiles, Paul was telling lost Israel to hearken to God’s Word spoken through him, that they believe on that Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork, that they be saved from their sins.
  2. 2 Corinthians 11:31: “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.” In the context of this verse we find Paul’s immense suffering for the sake of the ministry that the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ had given him. Paul endured many unspeakable beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, deprivations, and so on (verses 22-33). He had often been accused of being a “nobody,” someone not worthy of being honored as an apostle (see 2 Corinthians chapter 4). The numerous trials Paul was willing to go through for the sake of the Church the Body of Christ demonstrate to the Corinthians—and us—that he was a very faithful servant of Jesus Christ. In fact, he was more of a servant of Christ than those who were criticizing him! No fraud would have ever endured that much mistreatment. That includes all the anti-Paul people today within and without Christendom!
  3. Galatians 1:20: “Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.” People in Paul’s day accused him of continuing the work of James, Peter, and John. They denied Paul’s special ministry, apostleship, and doctrine. In the context—chapter 1, verse 1 through chapter 2, verse 21—Paul explains how his ministry is special, how he was not ordained or taught by Israel’s 12 apostles, how he preached a different Gospel message than the one they were preaching, and how the Church the Body of Christ was separate and distinct from Israel and her Law program. Even today people call Paul a liar about the same matter! They want to make everything in the Bible the same, and it just will not work. If they want to abandon their Bible confusion, they had better start recognizing the Bible’s distinctions.
  4. 1 Timothy 2:7: “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.” Again, this is delineating Paul’s special ministry (note verses 3-7). Paul was sent to be the “due-time testifier” of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Now, salvation through Calvary was available to all the world, not just to Israel (cf. Isaiah 53:8; Matthew 20:28). This was part of Paul’s special commissioning from the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. The religious system of the day had called Paul a liar, hoping to draw his disciples to them, and away from him and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ, post-ascension, had sent Paul to Gentiles, and Paul was exercising his divinely-ordained apostleship. He had not taken the task upon himself and no man had appointed him. It was God’s will (Galatians 1:1) and God’s commandment (1 Timothy 1:1) to make Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ.

But, for sake of argument, let us suppose Paul was a “false prophet” and a “false teacher.” We will ignore everything we just pointed out, for Paul’s epistles are supposedly false. There are a number of issues that we now need to address if Paul’s ministry and epistles do not belong in the Bible. The anti-Paul people need to proceed in answering the following:

IV. WITHOUT PAUL’S EPISTLES, HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE CURRENT AFFAIRS IN THE WORLD?

If Paul was indeed a false prophet, where do we go in the Bible to explain Israel’s current status before God? In other words, if we remove Paul’s epistles from the Bible, and remove all passages from the book of Acts that describe Paul’s ministry, where do we find ourselves today in the Bible? Outside of Paul, Israel is preeminent in God’s dealings with mankind. Today, we can clearly see that Israel is fallen, set aside by God. There is still no earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ, there is still sin in the world, God’s wrath has not fallen on sinful mankind, there is still sickness and disease, and Satan is still loose. How do we explain these facts unless we have Paul’s epistles? We cannot. If you have tossed out Paul’s epistles, you cannot answer it either.

Take, for example, the promise of Jeremiah 3:17: “At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.”

And, Isaiah 2:4, a parallel passage: “And he [Messiah, Jesus Christ] shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

Finally, Zechariah 8:22-23, another parallel passage: “[22] Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. [23] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”

Now, let me ask you some important questions, friend. When was the LORD’S throne ever in Jerusalem as Jeremiah 3:17 predicted? When did all nations go to Jerusalem to see the LORD sitting on His throne as Jeremiah 3:17 says? When did Messiah ever rule over all nations in a kingdom where there was no war, as Isaiah 2:4 prophesied? Was there ever a time when every Jew knew the LORD and led 10 Gentile men to Jerusalem to personally see the LORD as Zechariah 8:22-23 says? Well, the answer to all of these questions is, “NEVER!” None of these things ever happened—even though they are prophecies written down some 2,500 to 2,700 years ago. We are forced to conclude one of three possibilities:

  1. Those prophecies will never come to pass because they were flat-out lies. We would have to toss out these Scriptures as we already did to Paul’s epistles! The Bible believer will automatically rule out this explanation, for the Bible contains no lies. All of the Word of God is true (Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5-6) because God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). After all, the Holy Bible is “the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
  1. Those verses were not literal but spiritual and have already come to pass in some invisible way. This explanation is also erroneous, for if the Bible is “spiritual not literal” (that it means something other than what it says), then we would never get anything coherent out of the Bible text. Nothing would be certain in Scripture, not even plain and simple words, because they would have some “cryptic other meaning.” We would have to throw out some more Scripture if this were the case! There would be no literal sinless conception of Christ in a virgin, no literal blood atonement of Christ, no literal resurrection and literal ascension of Christ, and so on.
  1. Those prophecies have been delayed; they are still awaiting fulfillment. Of all the possible explanations, the Bible believer considers this the most plausible. According to the writings of the Apostle Paul, the Bible books of Romans through Philemon, Israel’s prophetic program is delayed and the prophecies in her Scriptures are momentarily paused. But, again, you cannot learn about the delay in prophecy in the books of prophecy. Paul’s epistles are “mystery” (Romans 16:25 cf. Acts 3:21), and they explain why prophecy is delayed. Anything and everything in the Bible—outside of Paul’s ministry—does not explain prophecy’s delay. So, friend, you need something more than the prophetic Bible books. You need the Holy Spirit’s “mystery” writings penned through the Apostle Paul!

Again, for argument’s sake, we will suppose that people are correct in calling the Apostle Paul a false prophet. If they are true, then we can eliminate possibility #3, leaving only explanations #1 and #2. So, if Paul is “false” as his critics claim, then they in fact are just as much false as they claim he is, for they are alleging: (1) Israel’s prophecies were lies all along, and/or (2) the Bible does not mean what it says. In reality, the individuals who claim Paul is a “false prophet” are actually those who are fibbing. They are causing us to question the validity of Israel’s Scriptures, yea, all the Bible, and not just Paul’s epistles. They are on dangerous ground indeed, but let us proceed to outlining their other major erroneous beliefs!

V. THE SCOFFERS IN PETER’S FINAL EPISTLE

Dear reader, if you say that Paul was a false prophet, you have placed yourself on the same level as the Bible scoffers in Peter’s final epistle. You have made a gross error, and, in love and gentleness, I will point out and correct it.

Surveying the books of Matthew through John, as well as the early Acts period, you see how God’s apostles and prophets warned about impending judgment, particularly wrath at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:7-12; Matthew 13:38-42; Acts 2:34-36; Acts 3:19-23; et cetera). This judgment was spoken of as being very close, as in coming within the lifetimes of the audience members (Hebrews 10:25-31; James 5:9; 1 Peter 1:7,13; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 22:7,12,20; et cetera). Yet, that judgment never came. In fact, it has yet to come, some 20 centuries after the apostles wrote about it! Wickedness still abounds in the world. There has never been that wrath of God. What is going on?

If we look at 2 Peter chapter 1, verse 16, we observe Peter arguing: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” We infer that Peter and his apostolic associates are all being accused of following “cunningly devised fables.” In other words, they have been preaching for many years about God’s judgment against sin, and yet, that judgment has not come. At the time of Peter’s writing, Jesus Christ has been gone from Earth for over three decades, and that wrath has yet to fall. The scoffers are capitalizing on this delay, saying the wrath was never coming at all. They believe the postponement proves the apostles are preaching lies, religious fiction, just trying to “scare them into righteous living.” (Sound familiar?)

Peter mentions those scoffers in verses 2-4 of chapter 3 of his final epistle: “[2] That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: [3] Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, [4] And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

Verses 5 and 6 hearken back to the days of Noah when God’s judgment came upon sinful mankind. The Great Flood of Noah’s Day was just a preview of the divine wrath to come during the (future) seven-year Tribulation and subsequent Second Coming of Jesus Christ: “[5] For this they [the scoffers] willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: [6] Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:”

But exactly where was that end-time wrath? What was God the Holy Spirit’s response to the scoffers/doubters/mockers in the first century A.D.? We quote Peter’s answer: “[7] But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

The Holy Spirit through Peter spoke of that flaming fire judgment we discussed earlier. Verse 9 (quoted above) is the key. Verses 15 and 16 provide additional amplification: “[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

God is offering salvation to all people of all nations today, through Jesus’ finished crosswork. We find the Gospel message to all nations without distinction, only in Paul’s epistles. Rather than “wrath and war” (as in prophecy), His message to the nations is one of “grace and peace” (as in mystery). We find that delay in prophecy, only in Paul’s epistles. Peter admitted that prophecy’s wrath is delayed so more people could be saved from it. The way they can be rescued is to be saved into our present-day “mystery” program, the Church the Body of Christ, Paul’s ministry. If you remove Paul’s epistles, you also remove God’s explanation for the delay of His wrath. In doing so, you make the Word of God vulnerable to scoffing. You really want to do that, friend? If you do not want people to scoff at the Bible, leave Paul’s epistles where they are and just believe them! However, if you are just another Bible scorner, go ahead and take Paul out!

VI. WITHOUT PAUL’S EPISTLES, HOW DO WE GENTILES BENEFIT FROM CALVARY?

First Timothy 2:3-7: “[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] 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.”

As we briefly mentioned earlier, in 1 Timothy 2:3-7, God’s invitation to all the world to come by faith in Calvary’s finished crosswork, was not declared until Paul’s ministry. Peter and the 11 other apostles were to minister to Israel first, convert all of Israel first, and then—and only then—would redeemed Israel minister to the Gentiles (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:6; Zechariah 8:20-23; Zechariah 12:7; Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8; et al.).

Yet, again, we point out, there is no redeemed national Israel today. There is no Jewish earthly kingdom to evangelize Gentiles today. Yet, we Gentiles are saved today unto eternal life. All Gentiles have opportunity to have access to Father God. How can we fellowship with Israel’s God? Did a Jewish priest come and preach a Gospel message to us? No. And yet, the prophetic Scriptures demanded that would happen concerning Gentile salvation. If there was no such Jewish priest, then how can we be sure we even have eternal life and a home in heaven right now? What spiritual rights do we have as Gentiles, seeing as the God’s chief nation to bless Gentiles (Israel) is fallen and blinded and not even in her homeland? Because there is currently a different method of God reaching Gentiles than what prophecy described. The Pauline epistles are the only part of the Bible that describe how God is temporarily reaching Gentiles apart from Israel, her prophetic program, her Davidic kingdom, and so on.

To remove Paul’s epistles is to destroy Bible clarity. Friend, just avoid the confusion and doubt. Leave Paul’s epistles in the Bible and all will be clear.

VII. FOR US WHO ARE BIBLE BELIEVERS

For those of us who simply believe the Bible, we note the following two verses, written by Paul: “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). There are just some people, even professing “Christians,” who refuse to acknowledge the Lord’s commandments spoken to them through the Apostle Paul. Paul anticipated there were such people in Corinth (read about them in 2 Corinthians chapters 10-13). In fact, the last thing Paul wrote contained this verse: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15). The Church the Body of Christ largely abandoned Paul’s ministry and message 2,000 years ago—while he was still alive! We should not be shocked that mostly-confused church members have abounded these last 20 centuries.

If your friend still denies all these verses, here is what you do. Any further discussion on the matter with him would be a waste of time. By outright denying Paul as an apostle, your friend exhibits such deep disrespect and hatred toward a large portion of the Bible. There is nothing else to be said to him at that point. Just pray for him, because if he does not accept Paul as legitimate, then he does not accept Paul’s Gospel for salvation. If he does not accept Paul’s Gospel, then he has not accepted Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for his sins. The man is lost, dead in his trespasses and sins, unable to see the truth, so pray for his salvation. We can do no more.

VIII. CONCLUSION

When someone says Paul “started another Gospel to disrupt the Gospel of the Kingdom,” they do not realize that, without Paul’s Gospel, there is no way to explain the delay in the fulfillment of the Gospel of the Kingdom. There is no earthly kingdom of God as the Gospel of Kingdom predicted. Israel has been waiting 2,000 years for her Davidic kingdom to be restored. She is not the head of the nations as prophecy predicted. She has never been the head of the nations.

Yet, if the prophetic Scriptures are literal, and we believe they are, then the only logical conclusion is prophecy is delayed. We do not need Paul’s epistles to tell us that Satan is ruling today instead of God through Israel. We can see Israel out of her land today, Gentiles dividing and wanting her Promised Land. We can see the Gentiles oppressing Israel today, instead of God having already destroyed Israel’s enemies. The content of Paul’s epistles is confirmed in the current world events. Salvation is coming to Gentiles without Israel, without her earthly kingdom, without her Christ/Messiah/King ruling in Zion, without her enjoying the Promised Land, et cetera. This is exactly what Paul’s epistles say; Paul is thus proven to be a legitimate apostle of the God of the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ. Had Jesus Christ not appeared to Paul and given him his special revelations, we would be without explanation and forced to disbelieve everything in the Old Testament was non-literal and a lie.

To remove Paul’s epistles from the Bible, now there is a plot to destroy not just Christianity but the whole Bible canon! Your friend should take special care to note it.

SUPPLEMENTAL: IF PAUL’S EPISTLES ARE OMITTED, THAT MEANS….

Dear reader, if you want to remove the Apostle Paul from the Bible, you have the free will to do so. However, let me warn you of the following:

  1. You will lose Paul’s 13 books, Romans through Philemon.
  2. You must also remove the books of Acts and Luke. (Luke was Paul’s closest companion. If Paul was dishonest, Luke was also dishonest for consistently portraying Paul as a legitimate apostle of Jesus Christ.)
  3. You will also lose Peter’s second epistle. (After all, Peter endorsed Paul as a legitimate apostle and “beloved brother”—hardly the language if Paul were a false prophet!)
  4. You must remove the book of Mark from your Bible as well, seeing as to John Mark had contact with Paul throughout Paul’s ministry (Acts 12:25; 2 Timothy 4:11).

Overall, you have gutted the “New Testament” Scriptures of 17 books. You have removed over 60% of it! And you call yourself a “Bible believer?” (Ha!) Such is the attitude of a Bible rejecter and false prophet.

Also see:
» Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?
» Can you explain Peter and the 11’s ministry from Acts chapters 7 through 15?
» Can we witness too much to family members?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Is Galatians 1:6-7 contradictory?, Is Galatians 1:6-7 contradictory?, Is Galatians 1:6-7 contradictory?, SOUL SALVATION FROM SINS

Is Galatians 1:6-7 contradictory?

IS GALATIANS 1:6-7 CONTRADICTORY?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). There is “another gospel” “which is not another?” Is this a contradiction? How should this be resolved? We trust the Holy Spirit is always right, so we need not change the Bible text. May we have a submissive spirit by letting Him teach us His unadulterated Word!

Dear friend, when you can, take some time to read through the six chapters of the book of Galatians. The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to hastily pen that epistle himself (Galatians 6:11) because of the spiritual deception that had so rapidly gripped the grace churches of Galatia (central modern Turkey). Just a short time earlier, Paul had visited these pagan people lost in idolatry. He had preached to them the Gospel of God’s Grace. Once they had heard that good news, they abandoned their vain works-religion. By faith, they came to rely exclusively on Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour—His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). They were so joyful to have a relationship with the one true God, and a home waiting for them in heaven. However, as the opening verses of Galatians show us, Satan got involved and greatly damaged these precious saints.

“I MARVEL THAT YE ARE SO SOON REMOVED FROM HIM THAT CALLED YOU INTO THE GRACE OF CHRIST…”

Paul “marveled” at just how quickly the Galatians had forsaken the doctrine he had taught them in person just a short time earlier. Before he left them, they had been progressing so well in spiritual maturity. Now, at the time of him writing to them, he was so amazed that they had already abandoned the grace doctrines that the Holy Spirit had given them through him. They were “so soon removed from [Paul] that called [them] into the grace of Christ.”

If they abandoned the “grace of Christ,” then what did they embrace instead? This is quite easy to answer if you are familiar with the book of Galatians. Paul asks in chapter 4, verse 21: “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?” The Galatians “desire to be under the Law.” They prefer works-religion to the grace of God. After all, the two great contrasting systems in the Bible are Law and Grace—you cannot have both. For us in the Dispensation of Grace, we read: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). We are not under the Law but under Grace. God does not deal with us on the basis of our works; He deals with us on the basis of His goodness. Paul had preached this grace-Gospel to the Galatians, but religion had subsequently caused them to forget it. So many believers are just as misled today.

“I MARVEL THAT YE ARE SO SOON REMOVED… UNTO ANOTHER GOSPEL”

As a soldier would abandon his commander’s marching orders, the Galatians had embraced “another gospel.” They had left God’s grace (Paul’s Gospel and ministry) and returned to works-religion (Mosaic Law), a system that was “weak and beggarly” (Galatians 4:9) because it was “weak through [their] flesh” (Romans 8:3). However, the false teachers who had misled them were very sneaky. The preachers of this false gospel sounded very much like the Apostle Paul. Satan did not approach the Galatians with a message that was 100 percent lies. There were seeds of truth in this false gospel. They had taken a pure Gospel message and “perverted” it, still calling it by the same name (“Gospel”) so it appeared genuine. Again, notice: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7).

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

You can read the rest of Acts chapter 15 (and Galatians chapter 2) to learn that the confusion was finally settled. No believing Law-keeping Jews from the Kingdom Program had any right to come to Paul’s grace assemblies and teach Law (whether for salvation unto heaven, or for daily Christian living). Paul and Barnabas were to continue with their Gentile converts under Grace; Peter and the 11 apostles were to stay with Israel’s Little Flock under Law (Galatians 2:7-9). No one would interfere with Paul’s assemblies anymore. Yet, an unbelieving element of Jews had come into Galatia post-Acts-15 to deliberately destroy Paul’s work. Paul, in Galatians, mentions the Acts chapter 15 conference in an effort to strengthen his claim that they (the Gentiles in Galatia) were not to be under Law but under Grace. Please see Galatians chapter 2.

“ANOTHER GOSPEL: WHICH IS NOT ANOTHER”

In fact, that false gospel had such an enticing outward form that it looked just like God’s Word. I am quite sure they talked about “Jesus” and “God”—they never used the terms “Satan” or “evil.” That false gospel was not another form of Paul’s Gospel, but rather not Paul’s Gospel at all. The Galatians had embraced “another gospel” in the sense that it was a “perverted” (corrupted) gospel. Because it was perverted, it was “not another gospel.” It was not something that the God of the Bible wanted preached. You can study Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, and you will see that works-religion message is not what God wants preached in the Dispensation of Grace. True, He commanded Israel to keep the Mosaic Law. But, that Dispensation of Law is completely separate and unique from our Dispensation of Grace. God never commanded Gentiles in the Body of Christ to keep the Mosaic Law. In fact, He teaches quite the opposite. We have to go to Paul’s ministry if we are to read the instructions in the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Ephesians 3:2). One of the main themes of Paul’s ministry is, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

“BUT THERE BE SOME THAT TROUBLE YOU”

Friend, medicine will help your physical body, provided you use that medicine as your physician or pharmacist intended. Likewise, the Bible will benefit your spiritual body, provided you use God’s Book as He intended! False teaching—especially the non-rightly-divided Word of God—will “trouble” Christians. It will disrupt their edification (spiritual growth) and disturb them (2 Thessalonians 2:2). Their souls (hearts) and minds will be poisoned. Doubt will enter and the Adversary will greatly use that to his advantage. Just look at the complete spiritual impotency of the professing “church” today!

Satan will use perverted Bible verses to attack and weaken Christians. After all, he used verses from Moses’ Bible books to confuse the Galatians. Moses’ books were Scripture, but not Scripture to or about them. Moses spoke and wrote to Israel, not the Church the Body of Christ. Contrariwise, Paul spoke and wrote to the Church the Body of Christ. Paul was God’s “apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13). Jesus Christ had sent Paul, not Moses, to Gentiles. Jesus Christ had sent Paul, not Moses, to the Galatians.

We must heed the instructions in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” If we do not use God’s Word, God’s way, we will pollute ourselves and those who hear us teach and preach. We must separate Prophecy from Mystery, Law from Grace, Israel from the Body of Christ, Peter from Paul, and Earth from Heaven. If we do not recognize the need for dispensational Bible study, we will harm ourselves beyond comprehension. If you do not believe me, just look at the Galatians. Just look at today’s “Christian church!”

“AND WOULD PERVERT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST”

The Gospel of Christ is defined by comparing two verses. Firstly, Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Secondly, 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” The Gospel of Christ is that Israel’s rejected Messiah (Christ in Greek) is now being offered as Saviour to all people. Whether Jew or Gentile, all who “believe in Jesus” (Romans 3:26) are justified—made righteous—in God’s sight. It has absolutely nothing to do with works-religion. Those who say that it does, they are “perverting” (adulterating) the Gospel of Christ. They are pushing Jesus’ crosswork aside and trying to substitute their own “good” works. My, how blasphemous! Their “good” works seem so good, but they are nothing compared to the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus.

“LET HIM BE ACCURSED” WHO “PERVERTS THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST”

The Holy Spirit through Paul issued a very stern warning in the verses following Galatians 1:6-7. We reproduce them for your benefit: “[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. [10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

Paul advised the Galatians to cut off all contact with the false teachers who had misled them. (NOTE—Paul also told them to not associate with him if he ever corrupted the Gospel of Christ! He also said that we are not to associate with angelic beings who do not preach the Gospel of Christ!) Those charlatans had come in the name of the “Gospel” and appeared godly, but they were preaching “another Gospel,” one the Apostle Paul had not preached (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4). They were Satan’s ministers (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), and they were to be avoided! Brethren, we would do well to heed this advice even today. There are more false teachers in our day than there were in Galatia 20 centuries ago, so we should be even more cautious!

Galatians chapter 5, in closing: “[7] Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? [8] This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. [9] A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. [11] And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. [12] I would they were even cut off which trouble you.” The Bible says we are to have nothing to do with those who “trouble” us with a (Law-keeping) “gospel” the Apostle Paul did not preach!

Also see:
» We are saved by faith, but are we blessed by works?
» Must I maintain fellowship with God?
» Is grace a “license to sin?”
» Does “once saved, always saved” entitle us to abuse God’s grace?

BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS / CONFUSING VERSES SIMPLIFIED, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Is Israel “cast away” or not? Has Israel “fallen” or not?, Is Israel “cast away” or not? Has Israel “fallen” or not?, Is Israel “cast away” or not? Has Israel “fallen” or not?, THE NATION ISRAEL

Is Israel “cast away,” or not? Has Israel “fallen,” or not?

IS ISRAEL “CAST AWAY,” OR NOT? HAS ISRAEL “FALLEN,” OR NOT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Many consider Romans chapters 9-11 the most difficult part of the book. Calvinists have so abused and confused chapter 9 that people fear reading and teaching it. The “sinner’s prayer” people have abused and confused chapter 10, making it harder for lost people to understand the Gospel of Grace. Those who believe that we have replaced Israel have abused and confused chapter 11, causing people to fight about it as well.

Amidst all the confusion surrounding these chapters, people struggle with so-called “contradictions” as well. For example, the conflicting ideas presented in Romans chapter 11—Israel’s casting away versus her not being cast away, and Israel’s fall versus Israel not falling—at the beginning of the chapter force people to stop attempting to understand it before they have even begun it. In this study, let me first show you exactly what verses they find troublesome. Then, I will share with you other Bible verses that shed light on these “problematic” verses.

ISRAEL—CAST AWAY OR NOT?

The Bible opens Romans chapter 11 with the following: “[1] I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying….” Now, verse 15 upsets the Bible reader: “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?”

Did you notice the contrasting ideas in the above Scriptures? Verses 1 and 2 say God has not cast away His people Israel. Then, verse 15 says He has cast away His people Israel. Has Israel been cast away, or not? It sounds like double-talk but it is not.

Returning to the Romans 11:1-2: “Hath God cast away his people? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying….” The expression—God has not cast away Israel—has a twofold meaning.

Firstly, when Paul wrote the book of Romans (circa Acts chapter 20), there is a remnant of believing Jews still living. There is still Israel’s Little Flock, led by the 12 apostles (note verse 5)—these believers are “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16).

Secondly, during the Acts period, there are believing Jews outside of the nation Israel. Paul cites himself as an example (verse 1 of Romans chapter 11). This group of believing Jews belongs to the Church the Body of Christ. All these believing Jews—whether in the Little Flock or in the Body of Christ—prove that God has not cut off all contact with all Jews. The believing Jews in the Little Flock still have access to Him. The believing Jews in the Body of Christ have access to Him. Unbelieving Jews are being offered fellowship with Him, but they must believe Paul’s Gospel and join the Church the Body of Christ. Paul’s Gospel is “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Additionally, Israel’s Little Flock is the group of believers that God intended to form going all the way back to Abraham. God has not removed Israel from his program forever; He has not permanently rejected Israel. The triune God will deal with Israel yet future. Verse 12 of Romans chapter 11 speaks of Israel’s “fulness” (as opposed to her “diminishing”). Verse 15 discusses God “receiving” Israel (as opposed to God “casting [her] away,” or Him rejecting her). Verse 26 talks about “all Israel shall be saved” (as opposed to her spiritual blindness in our Dispensation of Grace).

When Romans 11:1-2 says that God has not cast away His people Israel, it simply means that they are not eternally out of God’s program. He still has a purpose and plan for them one day. Israel is simply “cast away” in the sense God has momentarily rejected them in order to deal with us Gentiles (verse 15). That God may deal with the whole world in His grace, He removed Israel from her privileged position. Since Israel was unwilling to reach Gentiles on God’s behalf, so worthy of His wrath, He temporarily set Israel aside so He could directly deal with all people (nations) in His longsuffering and kindness (including the unbelieving, rebellious Jews). “For God hath concluded all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all” (Romans 11:32). And, verse 15 in part again, “For if the casting away of them [Israel] be the reconciling of the world [Gentiles]….” This truth is also briefly mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:19: “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

When Father God is finished forming the Church the Body of Christ (mystery), He will return to forming the nation Israel (prophecy). This leads us to our next section.

ISRAEL—FALLEN OR NOT?

The Bible says in Romans chapter 11: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?”

Did you notice the contrasting ideas in the above Scriptures? The first part of verse 11 says Israel did not fall. The rest of verse 11 and verse 12 say Israel has fallen. Did Israel fall, or not? It sounds like double-talk but it is not.

Returning to Romans 11:11-12: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” These two verses actually span a period of time rather than a single moment in time. Israel stumbled but did not fall. Later, Israel stumbled and did fall. Exactly what does this mean? We must look in the context for explanatory verses.

Israel’s “stumbling” loops back to what Paul wrote in Romans chapter 9. We read in its closing verses: “[31] But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; [33] As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

According to 1 Peter 2:5-8, the “stumblingstone and rock of offence” laid in Zion was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Specifically, this refers to His earthly ministry (Matthew through John). Israel stumbled in that she made the mistake of rejecting Jesus as her Messiah/King. While this occurred throughout the three years of Christ’s earthly ministry, Israel nationally and formally rejected Jesus during His trial before Pontius Pilate, at the end of His earthly ministry. Speaking on behalf of their nation, Israel’s religious leaders cried out, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). They officially rejected their birthright as the children of Abraham. They wanted no part in being God’s special people to bless all the families of the world (Genesis 12:1-3).

While Israel demanded Jesus’ crucifixion, God did not set them aside as a nation. Remember, Jesus pled from Calvary, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Father God indeed forgave Israel of the crucifixion of His beloved Son and their Messiah. He gave them a renewed opportunity of repentance in the opening chapters of the book of Acts. Israel had one year to change their minds about who Jesus was, and accept Him. Unfortunately, Israel again rejected that offer. After one year of trying to turn Israel around, with very few Jews converting, God finally set Israel aside. In Acts chapter 7, Israel nationally rejected the Holy Spirit (who had been speaking through Stephen and the others in the opening chapters of Acts). Unlike the blasphemy against Jesus Christ at Calvary that was forgiven, the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost could not be and was not forgiven of Israel (Matthew 12:31-32).

So Israel did stumble at Messiah Jesus during His earthly ministry, but she did not fall before God at the cross. However, Israel rejected the Holy Spirit in early Acts, and then she fell. Through Israel’s fall salvation is coming to us Gentiles. This is where Paul’s ministry comes into view. Romans chapter 11 again: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: [14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.” (A side-note: Verse 14 is Paul conducting his “special” ministry during Acts so as to entice the lost Jews to join the Body of Christ and avoid God’s wrath coming upon them.)

CONCLUSION

  1. Has God cast away Israel? “No,” Romans 11:1-2 says. In the Bible, there is still a believing remnant in Israel—that is, the Little Flock—whom God will use to accomplish His will in the earth one day (Luke 12:31-32; cf. Matthew 19:27-28; Romans 11:3-7). While that group of believing Jews does not exist today, it did exist during the Acts period (the time when Paul wrote the book of Romans). Nevertheless, Israel is not permanently rejected of God. After our Dispensation of Grace ends, she will be restored nationally so as to inherit all of God’s promises and blessings first guaranteed to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, et cetera (Romans 11:25-29).
  1. Has God cast away Israel? “Yes,” Romans 11:15 says. So God could deal with us Gentiles and form the Church the Body of Christ, He has momentarily rejected Israel. She is not His favored nation today. God considers all in unbelief—Jew and Gentile—that He might have mercy upon all (Romans 11:32). “As concerning the gospel, they [the Jews] are enemies for your sakes…” (verse 28). While Israel is not nationally converted to JEHOVAH God today, individual Jews can be saved today by believing Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). These Jews can join the Body of Christ, and join God in His plan for the heavenly places.
  1. Did Israel fall? “No,” Romans 11:11 says. She stumbled (made a mistake) when she rejected Jesus as her Messiah/King during His earthly ministry. But, God did not set her aside at the cross of Calvary. She did not fall at Calvary. He continued to deal with her nationally during the first seven chapters of Acts. Peter continued to call all of Israel to repentance and Christ Jesus in Acts chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5. Stephen had a ministry attempting to convert Jerusalem in chapter 6. However, at the end of that year of preaching, in chapter 7, Stephen indicted Israel for her persistent unbelief. Please note there was no offer of repentance in chapter 7 but rather a warning of impending judgment from God. That was the pause of God’s dealings with national Israel, lest the whole world would have been consumed in God’s wrath.
  1. Did Israel fall? “Yes,” Romans 11:11-12 says. She fell when she refused to hear the testimony of the Holy Ghost speaking through the 12 apostles during early Acts. The culmination of her unbelief occurred in Acts chapter 7, when God finally set Israel aside and went to the Gentiles (through Paul) without Israel. For more information, please see the links below to our various related Bible studies.

Also see:
» Have we been “grafted into Israel?”
» Why did Jesus stand in Acts 7:55-56?
» Can you explain Peter and the 11’s ministry in Acts 7-15?
» Can you explain Matthew 21:43?
» What is Replacement Theology?
» Have I blasphemed against the Holy Spirit?
» Can you explain Paul’s first miracle?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Why do people grow angry when we share right division with them?

Why do people grow angry when we share right division with them?

WHY DO PEOPLE GROW ANGRY WHEN WE SHARE RIGHT DIVISION WITH THEM?

by Shawn Brasseaux

There are several reasons why people get angry when we share dispensational Bible study with them. In this Bible study article, I will share with you the reasons that come to my mind.

1. EMOTIONS

Friend, you must always remember you are dealing with an extremely personal matter. Regardless of the friendliness and sincerity of denominational Christians, they still have emotional attachments to their particular group’s tenets. Even if they are saved people who understand justification by grace through faith in Christ without works, they have the same emotions that lost people have. A saved person’s “flesh” (sin nature) is just as rotten as a lost person’s “flesh.” If the Christian is not renewing his or her mind daily with sound Bible doctrine, he or she is operating on the same basis the lost person is functioning. There is no Spirit of God working in either life. They are all merely “coasting along” in the energy of their flesh, to burn out soon and find themselves miserably stranded.

If you have had any experience in a denominational system yourself, you know that church tradition is extremely hard to abandon. Some people go their whole lives—perhaps even 100 years—and never give up their religion. Perhaps it is a theological system that family and friends embrace. Thus, in their mind, it is a betrayal of loved ones to listen to right division. A lot of people are in their particular denominations or local churches because of close family ties. Also, there are preachers’ salaries involved. There are egos (pride) associated. People will have to start admitting that they are wrong. They will have to concede that they have been taught wrong. They will have to admit that they have believed wrong. They will have to disclose that they have taught others wrong. As you can imagine, this is quite devastating for lost and saved people alike. Much of their lives have been based on lies, and who wants to admit a faulty foundation?

First Timothy chapter 6 mentions people who do not consent to wholesome words, even to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note their malady, and how we are to deal with them. First Timothy chapter 6: “[3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”

We are to teach others sound Bible doctrine. Tell them how to have their sins forgiven by faith in Christ’s finished crosswork alone (found in Paul’s epistles). After they are saved unto eternal life, tell them about why God saved them from their sins (also found in Paul’s epistles). But, if they “consent not to wholesome words, even the word of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,” if they refuse to hear us at any point, the Scriptures tell us to “withdraw” from them. That is, leave them in their ignorance (1 Corinthians 14:38—which applies first and foremost to Christians, and, if we are to “withdraw” from rebellious Christians, all the more from lost people!). The Holy Spirit says they are “proud, knowing nothing.” They refuse to admit that they are wrong, and they refuse to admit that they have been teaching wrong. Pride has gotten in the way, and they have pushed the Bible out of the way. You need not waste your time with them. Friend, move on to people who do want to listen to the truth!

2. DENOMINATION

If right division were embraced, if Paul’s apostleship to us were accepted as true, the first thing that would go would be water baptism. Every group in Christendom holds to some type of water baptism, so every group would literally fall apart! Tithing (forced giving), Sabbath-day keeping, “healing” services, confession of sins, prayer books, “praise and worship services,” “anointed preaching,” bodies of scholarship, and so on, all of that would have to go as well. They recognize exactly what they would have to abandon and they grow angry because they are too much attached to these practices and ideas (recall our comments in point #1).

In their minds, their particular denomination teaches exactly what God would have them do. They equate loyalty to their church with loyalty to God. “I want to follow Jesus in ‘believer’s baptism.’ I want to follow Him in ‘healing the sick,’ ‘raising the dead,’ and ‘handling snakes!’ I want to ‘love my neighbor as myself.’” On and on they go. They sincerely think that by following the denomination in “obeying” Matthew through John and early Acts, they are following Jesus Christ. When they hear teaching contrary to what they have heard in their local church for years and years, when they hear about “Paul the man” with “words of divine authority,” they see that new information as an infringement upon “God’s instructions” to them. They feel threatened so they erect a wall. Their emotions have been breached (see point #1), their conscience has been pricked, and now they feel they must defend themselves! They blurt, “I follow Jesus. I do not follow Paul, a mere man!” (All the while they are following men leading the denomination. All the while they obey the traditions of men.)

Although they have already erected a wall to “tune you out,” inside, they have reached a crossroads. Having seen dispensational Bible study, having heard the Bible rightly divided, they struggle to “make the break from religion.” For most, the pull toward religion is just too irresistible. There is far too much to lose, so they stay with the denomination they have known for all those years. There is a great desire to retain “the religion Mama and Daddy believed and died with.” (Again, they view you as “maligning their deceased loved ones.”) In fact, they may still have relatives and friends in that church so they do not want to lose fellowship with them. Considering the great losses, they turn a blind eye to God’s Word.

Please understand, not all of these people are deliberately being dishonest. Unfortunately, some people utterly refuse to embrace the truth. Sometimes, they know good and well that they are teaching wrong, but they keep their traditions. I remember one local Bible teacher was very much aware of Pauline dispensationalism but he did not want to fully embrace it because: (1) he was a Baptist and he wanted to hang on to his water ceremony, and (2) he did not want to upset the Baptist church where all his relatives and friends were. Friends, remember, you cannot make a living in a denomination unless you sign a contract affirming that you agree with their doctrine. You cannot embrace dispensational Bible study and expect your salary (income) and your relationships to remain fully intact. This leads us to point #3.

3. SOCIALIZATION

Remember, all things fall apart in the religious system if dispensational Bible study is embraced and upheld. This is especially concerning “friendships,” “marriages,” and “peers.” You may lose your personal business, your spouse, your “friends,” everything. Many in the Grace Movement—myself included—know this all too well.

People are going to have to start disagreeing with their “alma maters” (the “higher learning” institutions from which they received their education/training and advanced degrees). For example, a man feels indebted to his denominational college or seminary. To embrace dispensational Bible study means he must part with his “academic heritage.” That means disappointing his former professors, jeopardizing his friendships with former classmates, losing his endorsements, losing his reputation as a “champion” in that group or denomination, and so on. He will endure a string of very painful names—“heretic,” “apostate,” “church splitter,” “traitor,” “troublemaker,” “fanatic,” “Paul-worshipper,” “Bible-worshipper,” and much nastier words too vulgar to repeat here!

Note John 9:19-23: “[19] And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? [20] His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: [21] But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. [22] These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. [23] Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.” Jesus had indeed healed that blind man, but his parents refused to speak about it, fearing excommunication from the synagogue!

And, of course, the capstone of it all is John 12:42-43: “[42] Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: [43] For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”

My dear readers, human nature has not changed one bit in the 2,000 years since John chapters 9 and 12. Often, people are just not willing to give up their “prestigious” positions in their community. This can be with respect to professing Jesus Christ as Saviour, professing to believe the King James Bible, professing to be a Pauline dispensationalist, or professing to be a Bible-believing creationist. They will have to endure the “stigma” of “someone who believes things that very few people believe.” In the first installment of His great commission of His 12 apostles, the Lord Jesus warned, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake…” (Matthew 10:22). People really do not hate us. They hate Jesus Christ whom we serve. Beloved, let us not give into the temptation of giving up Jesus Christ just so we can have the “praise of men.” Galatians 1:10: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

4. SALVATION

Friends, we might as well face it. There are some people on their way to hell and they do not realize it. This is because they have been taught a false Gospel and have false security. There is absolutely no soul salvation is a “sinner’s prayer.” There is absolutely no soul salvation in a water baptism, a church membership, a “tithe,” a visit to a confession booth, a partaking of some “holy meal,” growing up in a “Christian” home, and so on. Following Paul’s epistles, understanding they are to and about you, will automatically divorce you from “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). It will automatically separate you from “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Unfortunately, people will hang on to these verses as part of their “Gospel message.” Rather than admit that their church tradition is wrong, that they have been taught wrong for so long, they will keep these misconstrued verses. It will result in their eternal damnation in hellfire. They would rather just continue in “hopes” of those verses applying to them. This leads us to point #5.

 5. REGULATION

Another reason why people dislike dispensational Bible study is that it removes works as a requirement to please God. Religion is very popular because it allows you to do things in the flesh. You get a sense that you can do things to make God happy with you. It can be a water baptism, a church membership, a series of prescribed prayers, a monetary donation, whatever. Then, you can brag about your “goodness.” Religionists have been so indoctrinated that they believe their Christian life cannot function without the Law. They believe the Law (especially the Ten Commandments) can help them manage their sin. They think it can help them quit bad deeds and help them start doing good deeds.

Oh, how ignorant they are of Galatians 5:18: “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law!” The Bible says that the Holy Spirit never leads any believer to be under the Law today. Whoever teaches you to place yourself under the Law today, he or she is not led by God’s Spirit, and God’s Spirit is not leading you to place yourself under the Law! These works-religion people do not understand that God’s grace teaches us how to live. Law tells us to live righteously, but never provides us with power to live righteously. On the other hand, grace tells us to live righteously because we have the power in Christ to live righteously. Righteous living is the outward manifestation of the set-apart position we have in Jesus Christ. The sixth chapter of Romans makes that very clear.

The Bible says in Titus 2:11-14: “[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; [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.”

6. MISINFORMATION

It is so sad, ever so sad to say it, but some people have been taught absolute nonsense in the name of “dispensational Bible study.” I have met some people who have given dispensational Bible study an extremely bad name. They almost made me abandon it years ago. Not having a good grasp of dispensational Bible study themselves, especially the book of Acts, they have confused and perverted others. All in the name of “dispensational Bible study,” they give more ammunition so our critics can use it against us. This is also why some people dislike right division. All they have to do is hear the word “dispensationalism” and “right division” and they shut down and start with emotional objections. They need to be taught true dispensational Bible study. It may be that they have never heard a clear dispensational Bible presentation in the first place. They need us to tell them, so, brethren, let us be gentle and loving as we do it.

7. “I AM COMFORTABLE JUST BEING SAVED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE!”

Unfortunately, some Christians are content with simply being saved. “I am on my way to heaven. I have trusted that Jesus died for my sins. All I need to know from the Bible, I know. Now, please, leave me alone!” In other words, they never get beyond a Gospel message. Spiritual growth requires great study and much effort. “Brother, there is just too much thinking at your grace church. Looking for books in the Bible and flipping pages is just so exhausting.” That is, they would rather attend church where the denomination/preacher interprets the Bible for them. Other than showing up, sitting in the pew, and shouting an occasional “Amen!,” such minimal effort is all they think God requires of them. As long as they can sing, dance, tap their feet, and clap their hands, they need not bother turning Bible pages and reading Bible verses!

While we rejoice that these people have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are safe and secure in Christ, there is much more to Christian living than having the assurance of salvation unto eternal life. A Christian not mastering the Bible, not going beyond the Gospel in his or her comprehension, he or she is like a “vegetable,” someone who, although living, has severe spiritual brain damage and cannot function properly (if at all). Which Christian life do you prefer? Someone who knows the Gospel (less than one percent of the Bible), or someone who is quite familiar with the Bible? God’s will is not simply for you to be saved unto eternal life, my friend. First Timothy 2:4 also says Father God wants you to come unto the knowledge of the truth. You only do this by study His Word, His way!

Think about it another way. How much value would you place in a medical doctor who knew nothing more than how to take your temperature? What would you think of a carpenter who knew nothing more than how to saw and nail two pieces of wood together? What would you think of a mechanic who knew nothing more than how to change motor oil? I am being facetious, of course, but these “professionals” would be anything but. They are ridiculous. How much more a Christian who boasts knowing a handful of verses, when their Bible has thousands upon thousands of verses? Instead of knowing all the counsel of God, able to tell others, they themselves must be taught.

As we mentioned earlier, they do not want to learn and grow because that requires study and effort. By you mentioning dispensational Bible study, you are challenging them to study the Bible on their own. This they dare not do. They are comfortable exactly where they are in their Christian experience and understanding of the Bible. They feel intimidated and will not dare to venture beyond their “box.” Their denomination has taught them all they care to know about the Bible. Oh, friends, dear brethren, may we never, ever, EVER become apathetic!

In closing, I leave you with one of our archived devotionals.

HARD AND STUBBORN, SOFT AND PLIABLE

“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1 KJV).

Yea, the more you share the Bible with someone who refuses to hear it, the harder he or she will get inside and the more resistant he or she will become.

Second Timothy chapter 3, verses 16 and 17, say: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The Bible is useful for “doctrine” (teaching), “reproof” (telling you what you are doing wrong), “correction” (telling you how to think so you can fix your behavior), and “instruction in righteousness” (telling you how to have a lifestyle that pleases God).

When the Word of God is shared with others, it challenges them. It exposes their ignorance (lack of understanding). It tells them what they are doing wrong. It tells them how to think so they can fix their behavior. It tells them how to have a lifestyle that is pleasing in God’s sight. Of course, the flesh, prideful self, does not like this. Every time the Bible is read or preached, every person’s flesh stiffens up in the audience. After all, Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Do you ever wonder how people can become so antagonistic toward the Bible? They can hear God’s words for the 1000th time, and still not make the choice of faith. Why? Proverbs 29:1 explains. Every time they heard God’s Word, they did not receive it. Light rejected is darkness. Spiritual reproof rejected becomes hardness. They become increasingly calloused. Recall how Moses stood before Pharaoh, with Pharaoh’s heart repeatedly rejecting God’s Word. May we not be Pharaoh! Once we hear God’s Word to us, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, may we believe it, before we too are hardened!

Also see:
» Can we “witness too much” to family members?
» If dispensational Bible study is true, how come so few believe it?
» Has God’s Word failed?

Could you explain Paul’s first miracle?, Could you explain Paul’s first miracle?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY

Could you explain Paul’s first miracle?

COULD YOU EXPLAIN PAUL’S FIRST MIRACLE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The Apostle Paul’s first miracle recorded in Scripture is in Acts chapter 13. We would do well if we surveyed that account and explained its elements. In doing so, we will better understand what Paul’s ministry is all about.

We read in Acts 13:1-12: “[1] Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. [2] As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. [3] And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. [4] So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. [5] And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. [6] And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: [7] Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. [9] Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. [10] And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? [11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. [12] Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.”

Notice how, when Saul (Paul) and Barnabas began their first apostolic journey, a Jew involved with Satan worship, attempted to hinder them from ministering to a Gentile political leader. Led by the Holy Ghost, Paul supernaturally blinded Elymas because Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer, attempted to prevent this Gentile from hearing God’s Word and trusting Christ. What is the significance of this miracle?

Remember, as per the Abrahamic Covenant, God formed Israel so He could utilize them in a kingdom to send His salvation to the Gentiles (non-Jews). The LORD God had told Abraham, “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). When God sent Israel’s Messiah-King, Jesus, the Jews demanded His crucifixion. Even after Jesus was resurrected, they still rejected Him: Israel refused the apostles’ ministry (technically, the Holy Spirit’s ministry) in the early Acts period. Until all of Israel was saved, her kingdom could not be established, keeping the Gentiles from receiving salvation. But God had a plan to circumvent this rebellion!

Elymas symbolizes lost national Israel that prevents Gentiles from hearing God’s Word. Paul writes, “the Jews…[forbid] us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway…” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). Elymas’ other name is “Bar-Jesus,” meaning “son of Jesus,” and “Jesus” means “Saviour.” The Jews should have been God’s spiritual people so they could reach Gentiles, and yet, most were lost in Satan worship as the Gentiles were (works-religion, pagan idolatry).

Note what Paul wrote in Romans 11:11-13,25-29: “[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. [12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: … [25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes. [29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”

As Paul begins his apostolic journeys, God signifies, through the blinding of Elymas, that He will temporarily spiritually blind Israel and send salvation to the Gentiles through Paul’s ministry, without Israel (Romans 11:11-13). In our dispensation, Israel is “[blinded]…until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). When our dispensation ends (the Rapture), God will return to Israel (verses 26-29). Just as Elymas was blinded “for a season” (Acts 13:11)—not eternally—Israel is temporarily blinded. God is not finished with Israel.

(If you have not already read it, please see our companion study below about Peter’s first miracle. The other two studies below are also supplemental, so please consult them for more information. Our study on Paul’s name change is also very beneficial in this regard.)

Also see:
» Can you explain Peter’s first miracle?
» Why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?
» Is God finished with the nation Israel?

DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, If dispensational Bible study is true how come so few believe it?

If dispensational Bible study is true, how come so few believe it?

IF DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY IS TRUE, HOW COME SO FEW BELIEVE IT?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Fellow Pauline dispensationalist, if you are asked one question more than any other, it is the following: “If dispensational Bible study is true, why do not more people believe it? Why do so few people attend your church or Bible study group?” (The same dumb question is asked about the King James Bible—“If the KJV is the preserved Word of God, why do so few read it?”) Rather than an inquiry asked by a sincere seeker, this is really an objection meant to intimidate you into silence. The assumption is that since dispensational Bible study is so rare and embraced by so few, it must not be true. If we are not recruiting thousands upon thousands (as in the “mega-churches”), then there must be something wrong with what we are teaching. Are these safe suppositions?

Does the majority ever really determine what is true and what is not? Has truth ever had many adherents? We simply have to look in the Bible and conclude, “No, numbers do not matter when it comes to truth versus error. After all, millions upon millions of people have been wrong about spiritual matters before. Millions upon millions more will be wrong in the future.” But, friend, please do not take my word for it. If the words in the Holy Bible mean anything at all to you, you will see how the God of the Bible has never had the majority on His side. To the Scriptures!

ADAM AND EVE, ALL OF MANKIND, WRONG

Do you know that the whole human race was wrong in human history? Why, go read Genesis chapter 3. Adam and Eve both fell into sin in the Garden of Eden. This “majority” was in fact all of mankind! And, that majority was wrong! What if we stood in the Garden of Eden and said the following? “Why, God, there is nothing wrong with eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After all, Adam and Eve are doing it!” Of course, just because Adam and Eve were doing it did not make it right. God said not to eat that forbidden fruit; therefore, it was wrong, no matter who believed what or who did what, or how many said what or how many did what. Truth was independent of numbers!

ALL BUT EIGHT, WRONG

We move on to Genesis chapter 6, the time of Noah, about 1,600 years after the Fall of mankind into sin. God told Noah to build an ark, a giant boat, because a global flood was coming. According to verse 6, God gave the world 120 years to prepare for the judgment to fall. During that time, Noah built the ark, and he preached to the world that God’s wrath was coming. Hence, the book of 2 Peter calls Noah “a preacher of righteousness” (2:5). After all that preaching, Noah was able to convert seven souls. Who entered the ark? Genesis 7:13 says Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three wives came on the ark. Second Peter says eight people were saved from the Great Deluge (2:5). The millions upon millions—if not billions—who refused God’s message through Noah, they all drowned in the floodwaters. Now, if it is appropriate to ask, “How can dispensational Bible study be true if so few believe it?,” it would be just as suitable to ask, “How could a global flood be coming, since only eight believed it?” In all actuality, we would be no different from the scoffers who lived (and died) in Noah’s day.

ALL BUT 7,000, WRONG

During the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, wicked apostates that they were, Baal worship was declared the official state religion of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). In the midst of this national pagan idolatry, the Prophet Elijah had a powerful ministry for JEHOVAH God. The very well known account in 1 Kings chapter 18 involves Elijah conducting a test to prove the prophets of Baal as false. When they are demonstrated to be frauds, their lives are taken in an attempt to right wayward Israel (1 Kings 18:40; cf. Deuteronomy 13:1-11, especially verses 6-11). Jezebel is very upset, and she threatens to take Elijah’s life for disrupting and destroying her religious system. Elijah, scared (relying on the flesh instead of on God), flees and hides in 1 Kings chapter 19. Elijah tells God, “I, even I only, am left” (verse 10). He repeats it in verse 14, “I, even I only, am left.” God tells Elijah, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (verse 18). Paul quotes this in Romans 11:4 to defend the “Israel’s believing remnant” principle he first mentioned in chapter 9. In your own time, you can read the opening verses of chapter 11 to see Israel’s Little Flock. When you think about it, Israel having “7000” believers in Elijah’s day, that was just a remnant. Imagine a whole nation, and only 7,000 people who believed God’s Word!

THE MAJORITY IN ISAIAH’S DAY, WRONG

Even in his day, 700 B.C., the Prophet Isaiah had a difficult time getting people to listen to and believe God’s Word through him. “Who hath believed our report?” (Isaiah 53:1). There was “a very small remnant” of believers in Israel when Isaiah began his ministry (Isaiah 1:9). Centuries later, even after Christ performed many miracles before people, “they believed not on him” (John 12:37-38)—John the Apostle quoted Isaiah 53:1 as fulfilled there. Some years later, the Apostle Paul took the verse and applied it to Israel refusing to listen to God’s Word through him during the Acts period (Romans 10:16). We, like the skeptics, could ask, “If Isaiah and Paul were preaching the truth, why did not more people believe it?” (If we are foolish to ask this, we are equally foolish to ask about why so few believe in dispensational Bible study!)

THE LORD JESUS SAID MOST WILL BE WRONG

The famous verses of Matthew 7:13-14: “[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” This is just a common fact throughout the Scripture, just as true today as it was in Noah’s day, or Elijah’s day, or Isaiah’s day, or Jesus’ day, or Paul’s day. It needs no further comment.

MOST IN CHRIST’S EARTHLY MINISTRY, WRONG

Even if you thought the 4,000 and 5,000 miraculously fed were true believers in Jesus, what are these numbers compared to a nation of a few million people? Think about the “Little Flock” (Luke 12:32) of believers in Jesus Christ during the books of Matthew through John. Draw your attention to “little” in “Little Flock.” The Bible is not talking here about millions upon millions of Jewish followers of Christ during the Four Gospels. Paul called this group of believers, continuing in Acts, “a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5). “Remnant” is quite a limited amount.

ALL BUT 120 IN JERUSALEM, WRONG

Some of the most famous miracles of Jesus involved the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:15-21) and the feeding of the 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-38). Think of all these alleged thousands of “believers” in Jesus. However, by the time you reach Acts chapter 1, the Bible says approximately 120 believers are gathered in Jerusalem (verse 15). Where were all those thousands of so-called “disciples?” Why, there were no more free lunches being given out! Furthermore, leading up to Calvary and beyond, there was intense persecution, so they had no interest in following Jesus Christ anymore! Would it have been appropriate to stand in the midst of those 120 and say the following? “How can this message be true that Jesus is Messiah? You are just 120 people. How could the millions of people not here, be wrong?!”

MOST OF ISRAEL IN ACTS, WRONG

Paul the Apostle had come out of the apostasy that had gripped the nation Israel. The Holy Spirit led him to conduct his ministry in a special way during the book of Acts. This unique ministry of Paul during Acts was meant to save “some” Jews from that intense spiritual blindness (Romans 11:14; 1 Corinthians 9:22). Paul knew he would not save many or most. It would be just “some.” If you read the book of Acts from chapter 9 to chapter 28, “some” it was!

ALL OF TURKEY, WRONG

Before God’s apostle of the Gentiles left this planet, he penned in his final epistle: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15). These Christians did not leave the Lord. Rather, they left the ministry and message that the Lord had given to the Apostle Paul. Before “church history” as we know it began, the Body of Christ (in modern-day Turkey—once a major hotspot for grace doctrine) had already fallen away from God’s spokesman to them! Ephesus (Acts chapter 19), Antioch of Pisidia (Acts chapter 13), Colosse, Lystra and Derbe (Acts chapters 14 and 16), and Galatia (Acts chapters 14 and 18) had once been chief cities and regions in Paul’s ministry in Asia Minor. Now, at the writing of 2 Timothy, his ministry drawing to a close, Asia has fallen away. They have abandoned God’s grace, and returned to the Law, works-religion (1 Timothy 1:3-11). Years earlier, Galatia had had problems with legalism. Now, it has spread to all grace assemblies in Turkey. While there are a few faithful Christians still committed to the grace message in Asia Minor, most believers have fallen into the trap of which the Holy Spirit warned in Acts 20:28-35. The “grievous wolves” have entered in, and they have corrupted God’s people with “perverse things.” The saints had failed to stay true to the doctrine that the Lord Jesus Christ had spoken to them through the Apostle Paul!

SEVEN-BILLION-PLUS, WRONG

There are approximately 7.4 billion people on Earth right now. Only two billion—about 27%—claim to be “Christians.” (If Christianity is true, how could 73% of the world be wrong?!) Of the two billion “Christians,” roughly half are Protestants and half are Roman Catholics. It can be easily proven that Roman Catholicism is a far, far cry from Biblical Christianity: it is so polluted with “human goodness” and “human good works” it has no time for Jesus Christ’s finished work on Calvary. Thus, we can eliminate one billion of those alleged “Christians.” Most of the billion Protestants in the world have no idea of a clear Gospel message, so this billion whittles down to a fraction. If I had to guess, I would say there are no more than about 10 million true members of the Body of Christ on Earth today. Think about it. Ten million out of seven billion. Does that sound like a majority to you? Well, if we want to say that the majority determines truth, according to the majority, Christianity is not true (otherwise, they would be following Christianity)! After all these foregoing comments, do you still want to hold to your “Majority determines truth” rule of thumb? Or, do you want to revise it and say, “When it comes to spiritual things, the majority is usually wrong?”

CONCLUSION

Dear friends, we must always remember that the God of the Bible has never had most of the world following Him. However, He has always had some of the world following Him. When it came to Noah’s preaching, I would have much rather been with the few than with the many! If you want to follow the majority when it comes to spiritual matters, please go right on ahead, but do not expect me to be in your crowd!

Also see:
» Can we witness too much to family members?
» If God knows who will serve Him and who won’t, why witness?
» Is John 20:29 applicable to us today?

Can you explain Peter and the 11’s ministry from Acts 7-15?, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY

Can you explain Peter and the 11’s ministry from Acts 7-15?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN PETER AND THE 11’s MINISTRY FROM ACTS 7-15? WHERE DID ISRAEL’S LITTLE FLOCK GO AFTER PAUL’S MINISTRY BEGAN?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Hi! Love this site! I hope you can help with this. Israel and her national program are set aside in Acts 7 and a new program (the Body of Christ begins with Paul in Acts 9). However, what about the ministry Peter and the 11 had between Acts 7 and say Acts 15 (the Jerusalem Conference)? If the national program is set aside, where do the converts of Peter ‘go?’ Where do they ‘fit’ in the scheme of things? Additionally, it must be obvious that not all Israel (each individual) committed the unpardonable sin, or Peter and the others would have had no ministry at all. Thanks for your help!”

Hello, friend! I am glad you have found our ministry helpful. All praise and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ alone! Hopefully, here in this, our special-edition Bible Q&A article #250, clarity will be brought concerning these most enigmatic chapters of Acts. How sad it is that I have heard and read many “grace” preachers stumble through these passages, making grace believers more confused than those in denominational circles. Great care will be exercised here to make the truth as plain and simple as possible. We may only have “one shot” to reach people with these chapters, so let us do our very best to get it right the first time.

INTRODUCTION. SOME BRIEF OPENING REMARKS

Certainly, there were individuals not present in Jerusalem in Acts chapter 7. Thus, they had no idea of Israel’s commission of the unpardonable sin and her national fall before her God. Israel’s religious leaders had endorsed the stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:12-15; Acts 7:1; Acts 7:58 cf. Acts 26:5). As you pointed out, there were individual Jews not directly involved in this most blasphemous act against the Holy Ghost and His spokesman (Stephen). Evidently, for their benefit, and even for the benefit of the Little Flock, God made sure the transition period from Acts chapter 8 onward was gradual rather than sudden.

While Israel is fallen post-Acts-chapter-7, leaders of the Little Flock continue with their ministries with the divine revelation they had been given in the months and years prior. They have not yet spoken to Paul and been brought up-to-date (Acts chapter 15, the Jerusalem Conference, is still over 10 years away). The Holy Spirit has not given them further instructions, so they are faithful with what info Jesus Christ had told them previously. Until Paul’s salvation and ministry become the main theme (chapter 9), we see throughout chapter 8 a gradual “tapering off” of Philip’s ministry, Peter and John’s ministry, and Philip’s ministry again. They drop off by the beginning of chapter 9 (Saul/Paul’s salvation), they return at the end of the chapter but are oblivious to Paul’s new ministry and new divine revelation. These leaders of the Little Flock continue to appear until the end of chapter 12, with Paul making a brief appearance in chapter 11. Chapters 13 and 14 are Paul’s first apostolic ministry. Leaders of the Little Flock do not appear again until Acts chapter 15, then briefly in chapter 21, before disappearing from Acts altogether.

So, indeed, there is a lot of “scene-switching” between Paul’s ministry and the 12’s ministry in Acts chapters 7 through 15. Characters can and do appear sporadically. It can get very technical, confusing, and overwhelming if we are not careful to separate them and present their ministries properly. You seem to be familiar with some of our studies, and that helps make this discussion easier. Still, I will re-teach some basic material for those unfamiliar with dispensational Bible study—and particularly this topic (the Acts 7-15 portion of the transitional period). We must remember that the time period about which you are inquiring is at the heart of the Acts transitional period, so there is not an immediate termination of Peter and the 11’s ministry to Israel and Israel-blessing Gentiles. There is no immediate ministry of Paul with everything about the mystery now fully revealed. Pauline revelation will continue until 2 Timothy, some years after Acts ended at chapter 28.

In this study, we will begin with Acts chapter 7 and go through to Acts chapter 15. Along the way, we will highlight the passages that involve Israel’s apostles and prophets. Moreover, we will make brief references to Paul where he appears in the Bible text. To make this enormous amount of material easier to comprehend, a table of verses with light commentary has been constructed and provided for your convenience. An accompanying diagram will be presented later to summarize. Ready? Here we go!

SECTION I. PETER AND THE ELEVEN’S MINISTRY FROM ACTS 7 TO ACTS 15

As previously noted, in Acts chapter 7, we find Israel’s national leadership—acting on the behalf of the unbelieving nation, nevertheless—at the culmination of her rejection of JEHOVAH God. For the past year, from Acts chapter 2 (Pentecost) to chapter 7, the Holy Spirit has borne witness to the nation Israel that Jesus was and is Christ, the Son of God, Israel’s King and Redeemer. How has Israel responded? We find thousands of Jews who trust in Jesus (Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4), but, overwhelmingly, tens of thousands of Jews do not believe. The Jews have largely persecuted and imprisoned the 12 apostles, and now, they are beginning to harass Stephen (Acts 4:1-22; Acts 5:17:42; Acts 6:9-15).

With Stephen’s ministry, Israel yet again refuses to listen to their Gospel message of Jesus being Messiah! When Stephen, filled with the Holy Ghost, stands before these leaders of Israel and meticulously recounts their history of unbelief, how they are repeating the ways of their fathers of centuries past, they are convicted and they stone him to death near the close of chapter 7. Looking back on it all, we see that that is where Israel fell nationally and began to diminish (see Romans 11:11-14; cf. Matthew 12:31-32; Luke 13:6-9; Romans 11:28,31; 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16). But, for a time, Israel’s Little Flock continues preaching in accordance with the prophetic program as before—they now minister to Samaritans and to other Jews. Why? We will answer that shortly. For now, I will present a table that will succinctly outline Acts chapters 7 through 15.

THE TWELVE’S MINISTRY FROM ACTS 7 ONWARD (WITH ANNOTATIONS CONCERNING PAUL’S PRE-ACTS-16 MINISTRY)

*Asterisks and italics denote the activities of Israel’s 12 apostles and other members of the Little Flock.

Acts 7:1-60* *Stephen’s sermon highlighting Israel’s history of unbelief, Saul influential in Israel’s stoning Stephen to death
Acts 8:1-4* Saul persecutes Israel’s Little Flock in Jerusalem, *Messianic Jews scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria, *12 apostles remain in Jerusalem, *other members of the Little Flock “preach the Word to none but unto the Jews only” (cf. Acts 11:19-21)
Acts 8:5-13* *Philip preaches and performs miracles in the city of Samaria
Acts 8:14-25* *Apostles at Jerusalem (cf. verse 1) send Peter and John to the city of Samaria, *Peter and John lay hands on these new believers and impart to them the Holy Ghost, *Simon the sorcerer is rebuked, *Peter and John return to Jerusalem, preach to villages of the Samaritans
Acts 8:26-39* *God instructs Philip to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch, Philip does so
Acts 8:40* *Philip preaches from the city of Azotus to Caesarea
Acts 9:1-25 Saul’s conversion outside of Damascus, Saul stays with Ananias (member of Little Flock) in the city, Saul preaches in synagogues there and then escapes unbelieving Jews’ plot to kill him
Acts 9:26-31 Saul comes to the Little Flock in Jerusalem, meets the apostles (cf. Galatians 1:18-19), escapes unbelieving Jews’ plot to kill him there, preaches in Caesarea and Tarsus, *Little Flock in Judaea and Galilee and Samaria has rest
Acts 9:32-43* *Peter performs miracles in Lydda, Saron, and Joppa
Acts 10:1-48* *The Lord commands Peter to minister to Gentile Roman centurion Cornelius and his Gentile friends in Caesarea, Peter does so
Acts 11:1-18* *Peter returns to Jerusalem, recounts to Little Flock his ministry to Cornelius/Gentiles, *Peter initially castigated but later his work is commended
Acts 11:19-21* *Little Flock scattered during Stephen’s death (cf. Acts 8:1-4) had traveled to Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch, “preached the Word to Jews only”
Acts 11:22-26* *Little Flock in Jerusalem sends Barnabas to Antioch to investigate unique ministry operations, Barnabas finds Saul and recruits him to Antioch
Acts 11:27-28* *Prophets from Jerusalem come to Antioch and foretell impending famine in Judaea
Acts 11:29-30 Barnabas and Saul send relief to the Little Flock in Judaea
Acts 12:1-19* *King Herod kills John’s brother James the apostle and imprisons Peter, the angel of the Lord frees Peter
Acts 12:20-24 King Herod’s blasphemous acts and gruesome death
Acts 12:25 Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch from Jerusalem
Acts 13:1-52 Church in Antioch described, the Holy Ghost commissions Barnabas and Saul to go on their first apostolic journey, Saul/Paul’s first apostolic journey recorded
Acts 14:1-28 Paul’s first apostolic journey recorded, his return to Antioch
Acts 15:1-30* *Jerusalem Conference—James, Peter, and John meet with Barnabas and Paul (cf. Galatians 2:1-10)
Acts 15:30-41 Barnabas, Paul, and others return to Antioch before beginning Paul’s second apostolic journey
Galatians 2:11-16* *Not long after the Acts 15 Jerusalem Conference, Peter visits Paul’s converts in Antioch, *Paul rebukes Peter for being a stumblingblock to believing Gentiles in Antioch

For simplicity’s sake, no further commentary will be provided on these passages. You just needed to see how there is an intermingling of ministries. This makes the book of Acts most confusing for ever so many, but if we give it great consideration, it is quite clear. This table allows us to digest the material because we have taken it in small chunks, yes? We will come back to this table. For now, we open a section that will highlight the ministry of the 12 after Acts chapter 15.

SECTION II. PETER AND THE ELEVEN’S MINISTRY POST-ACTS 15

Exactly where Israel’s Little Flock went after Acts chapter 15, the Bible does not provide much detail. However, we can go to Paul’s epistle to Galatia (see last entry in above table), as well as the Hebrew epistles, Hebrews through Revelation, for some insight.

After the Jerusalem Conference (Acts chapter 15; Galatians 2:1-10), Galatians 2:11-16 says that Peter visited Paul’s Gentile converts in Antioch, Syria (see last item in above table). We see Paul briefly meeting James and other elders of the Jerusalem Church in Jerusalem in Acts 21:18, many years after Acts chapter 15. Where Peter and John and the rest of the apostles of Israel are at this time, we do not know. From thereon, all of the Little Flock’s members drop off the scene, never mentioned again in the Bible historically speaking.

The nine Hebrew epistles, Hebrews through Revelation, were written sometime during the latter part of the book of Acts. James wrote to “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” (James 1:1)—a plain reference to Acts 8:4 and Acts 11:19. Peter wrote his first epistle to “the strangers scattered throughout…” (1 Peter 1:1)—another reference to Acts 8:4 and Acts 11:19. That first epistle from Peter was from “the church that is at Babylon” (1 Peter 5:13). Evidently, a good number of Little Flock members had scattered to Babylon after the stoning of Stephen, and Peter was ministering to them in accordance with his promise in Galatians 2:9. Peter evidently visited Babylon sometime after Acts chapter 15.

We know that the Hebrew books of Hebrews (2:9), 1 John (2:2), and 2 Peter (3:9,15-16) were all written post-Acts 15 because they reflect Pauline influence and indicate Paul’s ministry to “all men” (cf. Galatians 2:9)—the doctrine Israel’s Little Flock learned from Paul at the Jerusalem Conference in Acts chapter 15. Since 1 John was written post-Acts 15, it would follow that 2 John and 3 John were written after Acts chapter 15 as well. First Peter, James, Jude, and Revelation were written sometime during late Acts, too. John wrote to believing Jews scattered throughout modern-day Turkey in the opening three chapters of the Revelation. These would be the Jews scattered in connection with Stephen’s death (cf. James 1:1 and 1 Peter 1:1).

The leaders of Israel’s Little Flock, as indicated by the books of Hebrews through Revelation, continued with the kingdom doctrine first revealed in the Old Testament, Four Gospels, and early Acts (1-7). They remained under the Law, as James teaches. They remained vigilant for the Antichrist, his deception, and the intense persecution that would be aimed at them (1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude and Revelation). They waited for Jesus Christ’s Second Coming in wrath to judge their enemies (1 and 2 Peter). They were encouraged not to repeat the unbelief of their ancestors, that they enter Jesus’ earthly kingdom and enjoy the eternal salvation found in the New Covenant (book of Hebrews). With this settled, we can return to the “scene-switching” of Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry between Acts chapters 9-15.

SECTION III. WHEN THE TWELVE’S MINISTRY OVERLAPPED WITH PAUL’S MINISTRY IN ACTS

It is no secret that there is a lot of confusion about the book of Acts. For many centuries, it has been a battleground of bitter arguments. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion amongst dispensationalists. We have so-called “grace people” mixing the minds of so many. There should not be confusion, especially since we Pauline dispensationalists claim to have divine insight into Scripture! In light of your question, we can summarize the book of Acts using three simple points:

  1. Israel’s Little Flock (believing Israel led by the 12 apostles) had to be notified of the dispensational change ushered in by Paul’s ministry.
  2. Paul’s ministry had to not only be created, but also strengthened and brought to the forefront.
  3. Unbelieving Israel also had to be notified of the dispensational change as well as to be told of their (new) chance to be saved into the Church Body of Christ (rather than saved into the Little Flock and Israel’s prophetic program).

We will now look at these three points in greater detail.

  1. ISRAEL’S LITTLE FLOCK (BELIEVING REMNANT LED BY THE 12 APOSTLES) HAD TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE DISPENSATIONAL CHANGE USHERED IN BY PAUL’S MINISTRY.

Hence, Israel’s Little Flock continued to minister post-Acts-chapter-7 with the Gospel message they had been given earlier. Paul was saved in Acts chapter 9; consequently, his ministry and Gospel message were unknown in Acts chapter 8. Until Paul’s ministry could be fully established and made known to all, Israel’s apostles continued to do what they had been instructed by Jesus Christ years earlier. When the dispensational change occurred in chapter 9, Israel’s Little Flock was unaware of it. The events of Acts chapter 8 happened immediately after chapter 7, so chapter 8 does not seem to cover too long of a time. I would estimate a few weeks at most. The Little Flock simply continued with their “great commission” of going to Jews and Samaritans throughout Jerusalem, Judaea (southern Israel), and Samaria (northern Israel)—see Luke 24:47 and Acts 1:8. They did not know it yet, but God the Holy Spirit was preparing them to see their program’s breakdown and their nation’s diminishing.

By the time of Acts chapter 15, Israel’s Little Flock, led by her 12 apostles, “perceived” (understood) what had happened with the salvation and commission of Saul/Paul back in chapter 9 years earlier. They thus loosed themselves from their “Great Commission” and they handed over all unbelievers (lost Jews and lost Gentiles) to Paul and Barnabas (see Galatians 2:1-10).

  1. PAUL’S MINISTRY HAD TO NOT ONLY BE CREATED, BUT ALSO STRENGTHENED AND BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT.

Hence, the Apostle Paul did a lot of “Jewish” things during his Acts ministry—water baptisms, miracle healings, tongues, exorcisms, animal sacrifice in the Temple, taking a vow, shaving his head, physical circumcision of Timothy, and so on. It was all to show that Paul’s ministry was the perfect replacement for Peter’s. God the Holy Ghost Himself was validating Paul’s apostolic ministry (2 Corinthians 12:12; cf. Mark 16:19-20). With unbelieving Israel seeing her signs given over to and working among the Gentiles, the unbelieving Jews knew the God of their fathers was now working through the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 14:21-22). They would be enticed to behave like Paul’s Gentile converts, and thus save themselves from their nation’s apostasy. Once they would believe Paul’s Gospel—Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)—Paul’s “provoking ministry” would accomplish its purpose.

Remember, for some 2,000 years prior to Paul, God had been dealing predominately with the nation Israel. They were His covenant people. They had the Levitical priesthood, the Word of God (the Law of Moses, and the ministry/writings of the prophets), the promises of God, and they even had Christ’s earthly ministry (Romans 9:4-5; Ephesians 2:11-12). But, during the book of Acts, Paul was going around preaching that Israel had killed Messiah, that she was fallen, that she was accursed of God, that she no different from the Gentile nations of the world, and the Jews having no advantage over Gentiles before God. Understandably, this infuriated unbelieving Israel, that God would consider them no different from dirty, Gentile “dogs.” These lost Jews followed and harassed Paul throughout his ministry during Acts. In Romans chapters 9 through 11, we can see their objections to Paul’s preaching and we can note the Holy Spirit’s answers through Paul. Paul had various detractors in the Jewish religion. God needed to establish that ministry in the midst of all that opposition. The “Jewish” things Paul did provided that much-needed validation. Had the Holy Spirit not acted wisely here, it is quite certain that Christianity (Paul’s message and revelation) would have never survived to our present-day.

  1. UNBELIEVING ISRAEL ALSO HAD TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE DISPENSATIONAL CHANGE AS WELL AS BE TOLD OF THEIR (NEW) CHANCE TO BE SAVED INTO THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST (RATHER THAN SAVED INTO THE LITTLE FLOCK AND ISRAEL’S PROPHETIC PROGRAM).

Hence, Paul visited the synagogues throughout the Roman Empire during the Acts period. What was he doing? Or, better yet, what was the Holy Spirit doing through Paul? He was announcing to unbelieving Israel that they needed to be saved by way of the new program that God had instituted through Paul’s apostleship and ministry. Three times, Paul said that he was “turning to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46; Acts 18:6; Acts 28:28). It was a threefold message to unbelieving Israel—in Antioch of Pisidia/Asia, in Corinth/Greece/Europe, and in Rome/world capital—that she was fallen and now diminishing (Romans 11:11-14). She had lost her status with God and now she was no different from the idol-worshipping Gentiles. In God’s mind, a lost Jew and a lost Gentile were both “heathen” (Galatians 1:16). Paul’s Acts ministry is summarized in Romans chapters 9 through 11.

SECTION IV. DID ISRAEL’S LITTLE FLOCK, OR THE 12 APOSTLES, EVER JOIN THE BODY OF CHRIST?

“Were the 12 in or out of the Body of Christ?” This is a question common amongst people who struggle with the Acts transitional period. People who understand—or, at least, claim to understand Pauline dispensationalism—have such a difficult time with answering the question. Beloved, we not struggle. God’s Word is so plain, but we have people trying to use the book of Acts to advance denominational views—even in so-called “grace” circles (I have met them, I have read their material, and my, what a MESS they have made the book of Acts!!!!!!!). They have made the Bible’s dispensational boundaries less clear. They even go so far as to argue that Paul preached Israel’s covenants during Acts, that Israel was not fallen until after Acts, that the 12 Apostles joined the Body of Christ, and so on. What nonsense! Again, I am referring to so-called “grace” people, not denominational people. People who claim to understand Paul’s special ministry—people who should know better—and yet they want to convince others and me that the 12 apostles joined the Body of Christ. The Bible does not support that notion at all. There are so many problems with their ridiculous postulations that I could write 50 counterpoints to refute them. (By the way, I did write those counterpoints, and a link to them is at the end of this article. That study is titled, “Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?”)

Friend, on the authority of Galatians 2:9, and dozens upon dozens of other verses, I say “NO,” the 12 apostles are not a part of the Body of Christ. “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.” Had the 12 apostles been a part of the Body of Christ, they would have united ministries with Paul and Barnabas right here. Did they? (No.) They would have all started preaching Paul’s Gospel to all people (as Paul and Barnabas had already been doing). Did they? (No.) According to the Bible, it never happened. In some so-called “grace preachers’” minds it occurred, but nothing in the Bible says it did. I will believe the Bible; I will forget all the rest! You?

Since the 12 apostles declared that they would remain separate from Paul and Barnabas, they were obviously in two different bodies of believers and they conducted two separate ministries even after they convened in Acts chapter 15. You can believe whatever you like, my good friend, but I will believe the Bible before I will believe anyone. There was redeemed Israel, bound for Earth, and the Body of Christ, bound for Heaven. To combine redeemed Israel (led by 12 apostles) and the Body of Christ (led by Apostle Paul) would only confuse God’s intention in creating both groups. There are two groups because there are two realms of creation over which Jesus Christ is to rule (heaven and earth; Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16-20; Ephesians 1:9-11; Ephesians 3:15).

As we noted at the end of Section II, you can read Hebrews 2:9 (influenced by Pauline teaching; 1 Timothy 2:6-7), 2 Peter 3:15-16 (influenced by Pauline teaching), and 1 John 2:2 (influenced by Pauline teaching; 1 Timothy 2:6-7). Leaders of the church at Jerusalem, Israel’s believing remnant, the Little Flock, they wrote these epistles after they had met with Paul in Acts chapter 15. None of these books of Hebrews through Revelation ever make a single reference to the Church the Body of Christ. Had the 12 apostles joined the Body of Christ, I am quite sure the Holy Spirit would have revealed that truth to them and they would have written it in those last nine books of our Bible. Since they did not write about the Church the Body of Christ—call me crazy if you want—but I am going to take a wild guess and say the 12 (and the rest of Israel’s Little Flock) had absolutely nothing, nothing, nothing, NOTHING!, to do with the Church the Body of Christ. Again, you can believe whatever you like, friend, but never say it is “Bible” when you do not have a verse to stand on.

SECTION V. ACTS CHAPTER 7 THROUGH ACTS CHAPTER 28 DIAGRAMMED

Please carefully consider the following diagram that succinctly summarizes what has been said thus far:
Acts 7-28

[CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE]

SECTION VI. CONCLUSION

The language of the Bible is that while Israel “fell” in Acts chapter 7 (cf. Matthew 12:31-32; Luke 13:6-9), she was “diminishing” until chapter 28 (Romans 11:11-14). For just over 30 years, God announced the dispensational change from Peter to Paul, Law to Grace, Israel to the Body of Christ, prophecy to mystery, Jew to Gentile. Between Acts chapters 9 and 15, God gradually solidified Paul’s ministry. With Peter’s testimony of Acts chapter 10 shared in Acts chapter 15 with all of Israel’s Little Flock leadership present, Paul’s Gentile ministry under grace could be permanently validated. Once that occurred, then Peter and the Little Flock could fade from Acts, leaving the final phase of the transition to come about and terminate with Paul’s final announcement of Acts 28:28—”Be it known therefore unto you [Jews], that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it.”

Over 15 years after learning some things from Paul, Peter, at the end of his life, admitted that he still could not understand everything associated with Paul’s ministry. Second Peter chapter 3: “[15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” For sake of brevity, we forgo further commentary here.

Friend, you asked, “If the national program is set aside, where do the converts of Peter ‘go?’ Where do they ‘fit’ in the scheme of things?” All the believing Jews saved outside of Paul’s ministry, they stayed members of the Little Flock until their deaths. They did not have to convert to the Body of Christ. They had an earthly hope and now had to wait for Christ’s Second Coming (which, they later learned, did not come about yet in order to extend our Dispensation of Grace). Once Paul’s ministry came to the forefront, and confirmed by the 12 apostles, Israel’s Little Flock was sealed off. Paul continued from Acts chapter 15 to the end of Acts (chapter 28), announcing to Israel that she was fallen and diminishing. This was to give lost Jews plenty of time to trust Paul’s Gospel and join in God’s program via the Church the Body of Christ.

Please permit me to repeat for sake of emphasis. Peter and the other members of the Little Flock stayed together until the ends of the earthly lives. They had no reason to migrate into Paul’s ministry and the Body of Christ. As indicated by the Hebrew epistles, Hebrews through Revelation, Israel’s Little Flock during Acts just continued to look for the seven years of Tribulation and Christ’s Second Coming. They continued practicing the Law system, they continued following Jesus’ instructions in Matthew through John, the doctrine in early Acts, and when it was written, they applied the information of Hebrews through Revelation. In the future, after our Dispensation of Grace ends with the Rapture, those Jewish epistles will start up Israel’s believing remnant once again. During that seven-year Tribulation, they will practice the Jewish doctrine that Peter and the 11 would have followed had the Tribulation come 2,000 years ago. When Jesus Christ returns at His Second Coming, He will bring all believing Jews in Israel’s program—from Adam onward to the last believer killed in the Tribulation—into the earthly kingdom.

You also pointed out, “Additionally, it must be obvious that not all Israel (each individual) committed the unpardonable sin, or Peter and the others would have had no ministry at all.” That is correct. Not every individual Jew committed the unpardonable sin, but the vast majority did blaspheme against the Holy Ghost. Saul of Tarsus led the rebellion (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Israel’s corrupt and unbelieving leadership was influential in causing the common people to: (#1) reject God the Father speaking through John the Baptist (Herod beheaded him), (#2) reject God the Son Jesus Christ (at Calvary), and (#3) reject God the Holy Ghost (speaking through Israel’s Little Flock in early Acts via the 12 apostles). Peter and the 11 began to minister to individuals in Acts chapter 8 and onward. They were no longer ministering to Israel as a whole like they did in the first seven chapters of Acts. Once Peter and the 11 learned from Paul about his ministry, they, in Galatians 2:9 (cf. Acts 15), loosed themselves from their commission and stayed with “the circumcision” (the born-again Jews, the Little Flock). From Acts chapter 15 onward, Paul and Barnabas went to the “heathen” (lost Jews and lost Gentiles).

There came a point when salvation in Israel’s program was no longer available to lost Jews. From God’s viewpoint, Israel’s fall was in Acts chapter 7, but it took time for His human servants in Israel’s program to be brought up-to-date. Peter saw a hint of this dispensational change during the strange events of Acts chapter 10 (Cornelius). But, they were not fully informed of the dispensational change until Acts chapter 15. Israel’s Little Flock was secure, and they continued on in the Jewish kingdom doctrine, but the Little Flock was no longer open to new memberships once the Little Flock publically endorsed Paul’s ministry in chapter 15. Paul’s frequent visits to the synagogues to preach to the lost Jews was God’s way of saving some of these lost Jews from the apostasy that caused them to reject Jesus years earlier (see Romans 11:11-14). With Paul’s ministry now preeminent, these lost Jews (and lost Gentiles) would have to come to God apart from Israel’s rise to kingdom glory. They would have to come through Paul’s ministry. One final note, Romans chapter 10 is Paul’s rebuke of Israel for rejecting his ministry as they had done with Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry years earlier.

ADDENDUM. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

I judged it best to include this question-and-answer section as an “appendix” of sorts. It will succinctly summarize the highlights of this article, and, at the same time, reproduce answers to questions people constantly ask about this Acts 7-28 range of passages. Discussing the topic from this “new” aspect will reinforce previous points. It may even emphasize points that the reader glossed over in (or forgot from) previous sections.

Question #1: “Were the 12 apostles and the others in the Little Flock ever part of the Body of Christ?”

Answer #1: “No, never. The 12 apostles and the Little Flock of Jewish believers remained separate and distinct from the Church the Body of Christ throughout. Had these two agencies mixed at any time, God would have no more earthly people (and that was the whole purpose of His earthly ministry). They would all be destined for the heavenly places. We know this not to be the case, for Jesus Christ must be exalted in eternity future in the heaven and the earth (Ephesians 1:8-10; Colossians 1:16-20). If you take the time to compare and contrast Peter and Paul’s ministries in Acts, and compare and contrast the Pauline epistles (Romans through Philemon) with the Hebrew epistles (Hebrews through Revelation), there is no way these servants of God are talking about the same body of information and the same group of believers. See our study linked at the end of this article, about comparing and contrasting Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry from 50 different angles.

We know that the nation Israel is separate and distinct from the Church the Body of Christ. The “Little Flock” is the Israel of God, and He will use them to establish His kingdom in the earth (Luke 12:31-32; Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 11:15; et al.). However, we the Church the Body of Christ are God’s heavenly people, and He will use us to reclaim heaven for His glory (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 2:6-7; et al.). This is why Israel and the Body of Christ cannot mix, never mixed, and will never mix. That is why the 12 apostles could not join the Body of Christ. They rather remained in the Little Flock. The 12 apostles will rule over Israel’s 12 tribes on the Earth in Israel’s kingdom (Matthew 19:27-28). In contrast, Paul says that the Body of Christ has an eternal destiny in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 2:6-7; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:16-20, et cetera). It is common for religions and denominations to do it, and even some so-called “Pauline dispensationalists,” but we must never, ever mix the 12 apostles and Israel with Paul and the Body of Christ. That will only generate unanswerable confusion and damage you spiritually. That is why Christendom is so divided. They have not divided the things in the Bible that God has divided, so they make a mess of the Bible.”

Question #2: “Did the 12 apostles preach Paul’s Gospel after Acts 15? If two different gospels were being preached at the same time, what would happen if the 12 came upon some Gentiles? What would they preach?”

Answer #2: “Certainly not, the 12 apostles did not preach Paul’s Gospel, either before or after Acts chapter 15. To say otherwise is to be not far removed from the absurd denominational idea constantly hurled at us, “There is only one Gospel in the Bible!” While Paul’s Gospel surely enlightened the 12 apostles when they met with him in Galatians chapter 2 (Acts chapter 15), the 12 apostles made a public declaration in Galatians chapter 2 that we need to be sure we notice.

The Bible says in Galatians 2:9: “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.” James, Peter, and John agreed to stay with their message to the Little Flock—that is, the Jews saved previously under the ministry of the 12 (and going all the way back to John the Baptist’s ministry). The term “circumcision” here means more than just “Jews.” It means Jews who had the inward circumcision, the true Israelites, the born-again ones with eternal life, in contrast with the unbelieving Jews who had an outward circumcision but not one in the heart (Romans 2:28-29). “Heathen” would be every person outside of the body of born-again Jews—unbelieving, unsaved, lost Jews were considered just as “heathen” as Gentiles. These “heathen” were Paul’s mission field.

If we are going to go by the Bible, Galatians 2:9 tells us that James, Peter, and John confined their ministries to the Little Flock from Acts chapter 15 onward. These men, filled with the Holy Spirit, formally endorsed Paul and Barnabas to go to everyone else—that is, to “heathen,” unsaved Jews and unsaved Gentiles. Simply put, anyone outside of the Little Flock, from Acts chapter 15 onward, they were exclusively the responsibility of Paul and Barnabas. If the 12 apostles met Gentiles from Acts chapter 15 onward, they stayed true to their agreement made earlier in Galatians 2:9. (Again, remember Galatians chapter 2 and Acts chapter 15 are the same Jerusalem Conference.) As per their declaration, the 12 would have referred unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles to Paul’s ministry, epistles, and message. Salvation into the Little Flock was no longer possible for lost Jews; they had to join the Body of Christ. Had the 12 not operated this way, they would have been liars in Galatians 2:9. That one verse will clear up a lot of confusion about the transition period if you let it. From Acts chapter 15 onward, never did the 12 or the Little Flock ever preach a Gospel message to the Gentiles (they had in previous chapters—Cornelius, of chapter 10, the primary example). The 12 promised not to do so in Galatians 2:9. Again, anyone outside of the Little Flock was referred to Paul’s ministry and Paul’s epistles for enlightenment (2 Peter 3:15-16).

After Acts chapter 15 (Galatians 2:9), the Little Flock was sealed off from new membership. The 12 and their followers continued to wait for the Antichrist and the Second Coming of Christ—following the doctrine in Genesis through Malachi, Matthew through John, early Acts (1-7), as well as Hebrews through Revelation. This includes all converts from John the Baptist’s ministry, all converts from Christ’s earthly ministry, and all converts from the ministry of the 12 in early Acts. The Little Flock certainly never joined the Body of Christ, for they were still worshipping at the Temple and keeping the Mosaic Law as late as Acts 21:20-25. If they were members of the Body of Christ, they would have had no business keeping the Law and Paul should have forbade them from doing so. Paul never corrected these Jewish believers for their legalistic position. James, when writing to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” (James 1:1), constantly affirmed legalistic works. There is no way for any sensible person to make James’ audience members of the Body of Christ.

Question #3: “If Israel fell in Acts chapter 7, how could believers still be added to the Little Flock?”

Answer #3: “There is the idea among some grace people that no one could be added to the Little Flock after the stoning of Stephen in Acts chapter 7. I have heard and read it taught, particularly on social media. The Bible does not support this. If new believers were not added to the Little flock after Acts chapter 7, and Paul says something new began with him in chapter 9 (cf. 1 Timothy 1:15-16), then we are forced to conclude there must be three groups of believers in the book of Acts. There would be: (#1) the Little Flock, (#2) the Church the Body of Christ, and (#3) the “misfit” group of believers in chapter 8. The Bible does not teach this. Please see the answer to the previous question. Actually, the dispensationalists struggling here do so because the “Acts 28 theological system” has clouded their judgment. The “Acts 9/28 Hybrid Theological System” has surreptitiously and slowly infiltrated the Grace Movement during the last half-century. A very complex and confusing system, it has been extremely problematic in my life and ministry. Many people have contacted me to express that it has been very detrimental to their Christian life as well. I refer you to our massive project that exposes that system as heresy. Please see the link at the end of this article for the “Acts 9/28 Hybrid Theology” disclosure.

Another misconception is that Paul continued Israel’s program during the book of Acts. We must understand that provoking ministry of Paul to Israel if we are to understand the rest of the book of Acts. You may see our other study, “Can you please explain Paul’s “Acts” ministry?,” also linked at the end of this article.”

And, with that, we say, “Finis!” 🙂

Also see:
» What is “Acts 9/28 Hybrid Theology?”
» Can you please explain Paul’s “Acts” ministry?
» Can you compare and contrast Peter’s ministry and Paul’s ministry?

CALVINISM, DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY, Does Acts 13:48 support Calvinism?, Does Acts 13:48 support Calvinism?

Does Acts 13:48 support Calvinism?

DOES ACTS 13:48 SUPPORT CALVINISM?

by Shawn Brasseaux

The more you listen to and read denominational preachers and theologians, the more verses you hear and see “beaten black and blue.” God’s Word is treated with so much disrespect, so abused. They grab a verse here, a phrase there, a word here, and—voilà—a new denomination is born and maintained. Some have even taken one Bible word and made whole systems! Acts 13:48 is one such verse quoted time and time again in theology with regards to Calvinism. In this study, we will take time to actually read the verse—and its context—and see God’s intended meaning. “For what saith the Scriptures?”

Acts 13:48 is one of Calvinism’s favorite verses. Of course, the verse is usually not quoted in full, and certainly the surrounding verses are ignored. Just its final little clause is cited. Acts 13:48 in its entirety reads: “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” You immediately saw what appeals to Calvinists—“and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” The Calvinist will now say, “See, just as Acts 13:48 says, God ordained some people to eternal life and the rest He chose for eternal damnation!” Certainly, the Bible says God has ordained some people to eternal life. Just look at the verse! But, exactly who are these people? Are they the people Calvinists say they are? (And, notice, never once does the Bible say that God ordains some people to eternal damnation. If I were a Calvinist, I would quote that verse instead, but since there is no such verse, Acts 13:48 will just have to do!)

So, you can now see why Acts 13:48 strikes terror in the hearts of Bible believers everywhere. How are they (we) going to handle a verse that clearly says that a group of people was “ordained to eternal life?” Does this not validate Calvinism? Again, just look at the context, and you will be amazed at how simple the verse really is. Unless we have a denominational system or theological speculation to promote, we will just look at the context of the verse under consideration, and rejoice in the simplicity of God’s Word.

Let us start at the beginning of Acts chapter 13. Paul and Barnabas have begun their first apostolic journey. Having left Antioch of Syria (verses 1-3), they reach Antioch of Pisidia (verse 14). Now, in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia, Paul begins a lengthy sermon for the Jews and the other religious people present. Paul documented Israel’s history from verses 17-41. Verses 42-44: “[42] And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. [43] Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. [44] And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”

The Gentiles wanted to hear God’s Word, so Paul and Barnabas returned the next Sabbath day (Saturday) to speak to these curious people. We pick it up in verse 45 and following, reading slowly and carefully: “[45] But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. [46] Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. [47] For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. [48] And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”

As previously noted, there are some Bible believers who are simply scared of Acts 13:48. They do not know how to handle it. It has been so terribly abused and it is dangerous ground for them to expound upon it. They try to avoid it every chance they can. Friends, it is not difficult. If we are just going to go by the Bible, the Bible says the people who were ordained to eternal life were the Gentiles. See, it helps to actually read the Bible, friends, instead of just carelessly pulling things out of it! God purposed to form the Church the Body of Christ, that Gentiles could be saved apart from Israel. Salvation is currently coming to the Gentiles without Israel and through Paul’s ministry (Romans 11:11-13). That is exactly what Paul preached in Acts 13:46-47.

Let us turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 2 to see whom God “ordained to eternal life.” Verses 6-8 of 1 Corinthians chapter 2: “[6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Again, God planned our mystery program before the world began, but He did not reveal it to mankind until Paul’s ministry (cf. Romans 16:25-26; Titus 1:1-3). That mystery program includes eternal life via membership in the Church the Body of Christ. Gentiles to be saved into the Body of Christ, they are the ones God has ordained to eternal life (return to Acts 13:46-48). It has nothing to do with individuals (as Calvinists claim). Rather, it means corporate salvation in and through the agency called the Church Body of Christ.

Beloved, unless we have an agenda to advance, a theological speculation to promote, we will simply read the verse and believe it in its context rather than just carelessly grabbing it to bolster our theological system. There is nothing here about God ordaining people to go to hell forever. That is something someone is reading into the verse, wresting the Scriptures to their own spiritual destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16). It has nothing to do with God selecting individuals for salvation. It is God ordaining Gentiles (as a whole), that they have an opportunity to receive forgiveness of sins via the Church the Body of Christ and the Gospel of Grace that the Apostle Paul preached. Simple!

Also see:
» “Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated?” (COMING SOON!)
» How do our free will and God’s foreknowledge work together?
» Does Acts 2:47 support Calvinism?