As those who have had considerable experience in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering, and knowing that each part must be precisely fitted and designed to carry out its specific junction in relation to the whole, it distresses us to see people failing to distinguish between the various parts of the Bible. The vast majority, in this humanistic era in which we live, don't seem to recognize that each part is fitted and designed to fulfill a given function in God's total purpose for the ages.
First, we want to reaffirm the fact that the 66 books in the Bible ARE THE WORD OF GOD. This is a fact which the Holy Spirit has settled! It is not a question which is open for debate in our own mind nor at CANYONVIEW BIBLE SEMINARY. we feel that it is important to emphasize our unrelenting stand for the Divine inspiration of the entire Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, in view of the weird things the unlearned say about those who honestly endeavor to distinguish the things which differ (2 Peter 3:15-16; Phil. 1:10). For those who discern to whom and during what age each portion of the Bible was written, it is a consistent whole. Those who refuse to make this discernment, and at the same time claim that the Bible does not contradict itself, thereby manifest their ignorance of its contents. Such naivete is inexcusable for one who professes to be a student of the Bible.
Second, we affirm on the basis of the Bible itself that it contains a record of what God has said to and for men from the beginning (Gen. 1:1) unto the time when Jesus Christ will give over the Kingdom to God the Father (1 Cor. 15:24). Looking at it from our vantage point, it contains many messages which were given in the past, a distinct message for the present, and a prophetic message for the future.
The truth revealed for a given period of time is not proportionate to the length of the period. The first eleven chapters in the Book of Genesis give us a very brief record which covers the span of time from the creation of the universe to the time when God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees (1800 B.C. prox.). During this period of time God gave specific instructions to several different individuals, particularly, to Adam, Eve, Cain, and to Noah and his sons. These instructions primarily applied to what they were to do in their immediate environment.
The second period of time that is clearly recognizable in the Old Testament covers the span from Abraham's departure from Ur of the Chaldees unto the departure of his descendants from Egypt (Gen. 12:1 - Exod. 24:3). During this period God gave instructions to Abraham in keeping with his circumstances, made promises to him pertaining to his seed and their land, and instructed Moses to lead them out of their awful situation in Egypt. This period of time extended over approximately 400 years.
The third period covered the span from the giving of the Law to Israel (1400 B.C. prox.) unto the coming and death of Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:19; 23-24). The historical setting within which Jesus spoke that which is in the Synoptic Gospels was in this Law period. During this period, approximately 1400 years, God governed Israel through the Mosaic Law conjoined with the prophets. God's message during this period was designed to make Israel conscious of the exceeding sinfulness of sin (Rom. 3:19-20; 7:13). Jesus Christ's message, spoken during the latter part of this period, was a heightened version of the Law for the coming Kingdom (Matt. 5:17-48). These intensified laws will govern those living in the Messianic Kingdom, a time when "creation itself will be freed from the bondage of corruption," i.e., from the curse resulting from Adam's sin (Rom. 8:21).
The fourth period covers the span from the resurrection of Jesus Christ unto the miraculous saving and commissioning of Paul as the Apostle of the Church (Acts 9:1-17). During this period of time the Twelve Apostles were offering the Messianic Kingdom to the nation of Israel with its accompanying sign gifts (Acts 3:18-26). Continuous resistance to their message culminated in the death of Stephen, the epitome of their rejection of Christ and His Kingdom, and the point at which God began to reveal the distinctly new unprophesied Church. The message in the early chapters of Acts up to the public ministry of the Apostle Paul (Acts 11:26) primarily pertains to the offer and extension of the earthly Kingdom and not the Church. Grievous error results, which is very inconsistent with Paul's later epistles, when Church doctrine is based on these early chapters.
The fifth period covers the span from the beginning of Paul's public ministry to the final laying aside of the nation of Israel (Acts 11:26; 13:9, 13; 28:26-28). During this period Paul was still preaching the Gospel first to the Jews (Acts 13:14-41; 14: 1; 17:1-3, 10, 17; Rom. 1:16). At this time he still possessed the power to perform miracles (Acts 13:11; 14:3, 9; 15:12), which were associated with his Messiah-verifying ministry to the nation of Israel (Acts 9:15). During this time the Truth of the Mystery was being progressively revealed to him (Gal. 1:12; 1 Cor. 2: 6-10; 2 Cor. 12:1, 7). On the one hand, Paul was confirming the fact to Israel that Jesus of Nazareth was the prophesied Messiah and King (Acts 13:23, 38; 17:2-3,7; 18:5), and, on the other hand, he was proclaiming Him as the unprophesied Head of something new, His Body, the Church (1 Cor. 11:3; 12:13).
The sixth period covers the span from the laying aside of the nation of Israel (Acts 28:28) to the writing of the last books included in the New Testament canon (60-90 A.D. prox.). Subsequent to God's final dealing with Israel as a nation (following the Book of Acts) there are no more sign gifts, miracles cease. Sign gifts were an integral part of God's dealing with Israel, but this dealing having ceased until the fulness of the Gentiles comes (Rom. 11:25), sign gifts likewise have ceased to exist. During this period physical entities, which were very significant in conjunction with Israel, appear to give way to their spiritual counterparts, spiritual circumcision and baptism (Col. 2:11-12). The Mystery, which was progressively revealed to the Apostle Paul, reached its ultimate and final revelation in the epistles he wrote during this period (Eph. 3:2-9; Col. 1:25-28).
Having given a brief resume of how God has spoken to men in different times and circumstances in the course of Divine history, in accordance with His eternal purpose, now let us focus our attention on that which He spoke through the Apostle Paul (Gal.1:12) to the New Testament churches. Since we live, move, and minister in the same church age it is 100% logical that our message and ministry should, as exactly as possible, conform to that which was given to these churches. As we teach that which Paul taught, and as we don't teach that which he did not teach, why do some who profess the Name of Christ think that what we do is strange? From the positive point of view, what Paul taught the New Testament churches is the norm and standard for this present Church age (2 Tim. 2:2). From the negative point of view, what is beyond and contrary to what Paul taught is "another gospel" Gal. 1: 6), or a perverted gospel . Gal.1:7), and the one teaching it is to be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).
Now let us consider the epistles which were written by the Apostle Paul. We will list these in the general order in which they were most likely written. The majority of Paul's Epistles were addressed to churches, namely, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. Four of his epistles were addressed to individuals, namely, Philemon, Titus, and 1 & 2 Timothy. One of his epistles was written to Jewish believers who had leaders, namely, Hebrews (13:7, 17, 24), which was apparently sent to one or more churches in Judea (Acts 26:20). Thus we may affirm that ten of Paul's Epistles were written directly to churches to give them the Truth necessary for their development and maturity.
Three of the four epistles Paul addressed to individuals were written to his co-laborers, Titus and Timothy. These epistles, though addressed to individuals, with a minimal amount of personal instruction in them, primarily pertain to churches. They emphasize the need to guard against false teaching, to hold fast to sound teaching, and to maintain good works. They give us invaluable information on how a church is to function and govern itself.
The fourth of the individual epistles was actually addressed to both Philemon and the church which met in his house (vv. 1-2). Its message is directed toward a given believer in the church at Colossae, but it is applicable to all believers in like circumstances in all churches. In conclusion, even though four of Paul's Epistles were addressed to individuals, their contents universally apply to all New Testament churches.
Since there are some who don't believe the Book of Hebrews was written by the Apostle Paul, and who don't believe that the contents of this book are for the Church, we want to briefly touch on this issue, hoping to be able to deal with it more fully in the future.
In order to understand the Pauline authorship of the Book of Hebrews it is imperative that we identify with Paul, the Jew, who was hated unto death by many of his brethren according to the flesh (Acts 21:31; 23:12). We need to sit where he sat, walk where he walked, and become oriented with him in our perception of those who were his kinsmen (Rom. 10:1). Paul himself personally knew what it was to hate Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and to persecute His followers unto death (Acts 9: 1-2; 1 Tim. 1:13). He was aware of the fact that it took a Damascus Road miracle, the personal appearance of Jesus Christ, to effect his conversion. He knew the struggle involved in turning from the Law, and the sense of security it afforded, to the despised and rejected Messiah. He personally knew the ostracism and consequences of such a change. Positing the fact that Paul thoroughly knew the mind-set of those to whom he was writing, that he was a masterful communicator of the Gospel committed unto him (Gal. 1:12), both the anonymity and contents of Hebrews are what we would expect.
We who major in teaching the Truth given to the New Testament churches through the Apostle Paul are normal, on target, and accomplishing the will of God. Those who teach another gospel, a perverted gospel, and beyond that which Paul preached, are abnormal, off target, and beating the air (1 Cor. 9:26) .
How God Saves
Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read
Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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