Three Things New in Our Present Dispensation Today - By Pastor Art Sims

   

Dispensational Chart

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One of the most important teachings any Christian can learn is that we today are living under a program of God that is called "the dispensation of the grace of God." The apostle Paul explained this in Ephesians chapter 3.

We are able to see, in this portion of Scripture, that "the dispensation of the grace of God" pertains to the status that Gentiles now have. This was revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ in the ministry of the apostle Paul. It was a mystery, never before made known, but was revealed and recorded in his ministry for our knowledge and joy in this dispensation.

Three Great Facts

Three great facts are specified in verse 6 of Ephesians chapter 3 that sum up the mystery of this dispensation. We will focus upon these three items. As we do, it is good to know that the word "fellowheirs" means joint-heirs, "same body" is joint-body and "partakers" is joint-partakers. This is because an important prefix is included with these words.


1. Joint-heirs (sukleronoma)
2. Joint-Body (sumssoma)
3. Joint-partakers (summmetocha)

Equality, togetherness! That's what these words are about. In contrast to the way things used to be, Gentiles are now fully equal, being joint-heirs in a joint-Body as well as joint-partakers of God's promise in Christ by the gospel. These realities distinguish our situation today from the way things were in former times.

Three Things New

Let us consider then, these three areas of truth. We will take the last item first because partaking of God's promise in Christ by the gospel ranks first in our experience. But of course, as soon as we partake of the gospel these other things immediately become true of us. But we will consider these items beginning with the fact that Gentiles today are joint-partakers of the truth of God.

I. Joint-partakers

This most certainly is different from the way things used to be. In former times, Gentiles were secondary partakers. Indeed, they were like "dogs," waiting for the Jews to "first be filled." We see this in Mark chapter 7 where a Gentile woman came to our Lord Jesus Christ, requesting a favor from Him. He said to her.

"Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs." Mark 7 :27

That woman's response to this was tremendous. She agreed. "Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs." For this, the request she sought was granted. But clearly, the words spoken to her by our Lord Jesus Christ show that Gentiles, at that time, were not equal with the Jews.

Another text where this is evident is in Acts chapter 3 where the apostle Peter, preaching to his own people, the Jews, put it this way. 25 "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." 26 "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." Acts 3:25,26

How clear this really is. "Unto you first," Peter said. They were the chosen nation of God and priority over others belonged to them.

The apostle Paul also acknowledged this same thing. When he preached to the Jews in Acts chapter 13, he 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." Acts 13:46

These statements establish beyond question that, in time past, Jewish people definitely had priority rights over other people as first-partakers of God's truth.

But this has been changed. Now, in the dispensation of the grace of God, Gentiles are joint-partakers of the gospel, equal with the Jews. No longer, therefore, are the Gentiles "far off " but "nigh" (Ephesians 2:13), 'and the Jews who "were nigh" (Ephesians 2:17) no longer have priority rights over anyone else. Rather, "both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18) being "joint-partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (Ephesians 3:6).

What wonderful grace this is! In no way was it deserved. But God has declared that the Gentiles are now "nigh" (Ephesians 2:13). No longer, therefore, do Gentiles wait in line behind the Jews. Everybody is the same! Of course, Jewish people are still welcome to be saved, but just the same as everyone else. No more priority for anybody. Equality! That's what we have today in the dispensation of the grace of God.

2. A joint-Body

      The second great fact in Ephesians 3:6 is that Gentile believers are now joint-members of the same spiritual Body with all other believers in this day of grace. This means, of course, that Gentiles not only have equal access to God as Joint-partakers of the gospel, but more than this, upon believing the gospel, Gentiles become joint-members of the Church, the Body of Christ.

Thinking again about "time past, we know, that Gentiles worshipped God as strangers among the people of God. They had no hope of their own and a secondary status among the people of God was all they could expect. They became proselytes of Judaism and worshipped God as second class people in the religious life of the nation of Israel (See Numbers 15:14,26, Deut. 14:21, 23:20, 31:12, Acts 2:10). It is striking to read what a difference there used to be between the Jews and the Gentiles. An example is that the Jews were not allowed to eat the flesh of animals that died on their own whereas the Gentiles among them were allowed to eat those things. Deut. 14:21

      Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God.

But today, things are not that way at all. Rather, in this present dispensation Gentiles are fully equal, being joint-members of the same Body with all other believers. This is far more than simply being included. According to Ephesians 2:15, God is now taking Gentiles who believe in Christ and Jewish people who believe in Him, and of these two, is making "one new man." In Colossians 3:10 and 11 we learn that, in this "new man," there is "neither" Gentile nor Jew but that Christ Himself is all in all. Thus, the Body of Christ is indeed a joint-Body. Fleshly distinctions no longer count within it.

What happens, as people become members of this joint-Body, is somewhat similar to an idea expressed by one preacher, who said, "There won't be any Baptists in heaven." He didn't mean, of course, that no one who has ever been a Baptist will be allowed into heaven, but rather that Baptists, after they get to heaven, won't be Baptists anymore. That's how it is with the Body of Christ.

Individuals enter this Body as Gentile and Jewish sinners, but then, within this Body those fleshly distinctions disappear. We know this because, according to Colossians 3:11, there is "neither" Gentile nor Jew, but all are spiritually equal in the Church, the Body of Christ.

In our flesh we do have our differences and we have responsibilities before God with regard to these differences (children, parents, husbands, wives, etc.) But our position in the Church, the Body of Christ, is something else. Here, we are the same and this sameness should cause us to value and appreciate one another very much.

Again, what wonderful grace this is! No longer are Gentiles second class believers but fully equal in the Church, the Body of Christ. 3. Joint-heirs.

      One more great fact in Ephesians 3:6 is that there is a joint-inheritance that we share. Many teachings are presented in the Bible about the inheritance that God provides for His people. All believers, for example, inherit the righteousness of God (Galatians      3:6,7,18,29). In addition to this, the Jews have an inheritance promised to them, a land with special blessings guaranteed to them as descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But today, in the new dispensation of God, there is another inheritance, a joint-inheritance which all believers share together.

One thing our joint-inheritance guarantees to us is a glorified body for every member of the Body of Christ, a physical body suitable for future activities throughout the heavens (Ephesians

1:14, 23, Philippians 3:21). God's Holy Spirit has been given to us as the earnest of this inheritance (Ephesians 1:14).

Our joint-inheritance also includes rank for us and opportunities in the heavenly realm where Christ, our Head, is seated at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:18-23, Colossians 1:12). It is very interesting to note that our Lord Jesus Christ, as Head of the Church, is going to reconcile all thrones, dominions, principalities and powers in both the heavens and the earth to their rightful place (Colossians 1:16-20). Since it is as Head of the Church that He is going to do this, we can expect that at least some members of His Body will reign with Him in these realms. In Colossians 3:24, Paul refers to "the reward of the inheritance." We should realize, therefore, that our faithfulness to God now will be of tremendous value to us in that day.

All the wonderful things our Lord is now doing, and that He will yet accomplish through the members of His joint-Body, the Church, are exceptional displays of His grace. Not only are we saved by grace, but more than this, we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-7). These heavenly riches of grace belong to us by means of our joint-inheritance. Thrilling, unprecedented riches, never before revealed, but now made known for our knowledge and joy in this present day of grace!

According to Paul in Ephesians 3:10, heavenly beings are learning about the manifold wisdom of God by means of this present dispensation. There are many people on earth, neglecting and ignoring these things. But in heaven they are not ignored. How marvelous it is that the angels of God appreciate the unprecedented truth of God concerning the Body of Christ. They already knew about the nation of Israel and the earth but now by means of God's program today they know about a new Body of people, positionally seated in heaven. They observe with great interest as this Body is readied for its actual entrance into heaven where Christ, as the Head of this Body, will reign over all things. All these matters wonderfully fit together "according to God's eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians   3:10,11).

These things are worth knowing. Obviously, God has put His truth concerning the dispensation of the grace of God into the Bible because He wants us to know it. We should seek to properly understand it, and in accord with Ephesians 3:9, we should desire, just as the apostle Paul did, "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."

What a joy it is to be living today in the dispensation of the grace of God. How fortunate we are to be joint-members of the Church, the Body of Christ. What a thrill it is to know that glorious things surpassing our comprehension await us because of the special order administered by our heavenly Father in this present day of grace.

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

Read the KJV BIBLE in large print (Click Here)

(A 10 Minute Video)

Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

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The Deception - By Les Feldick

Over and over-- at least eight times from the pen of the apostle Paul-- the Scriptures warn us not to be deceived. In II Timothy 3:13, Paul writes "but evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Deception today is coming in many different forms. The emergent church movement, which on the surface may sound enlightening to the untaught, is actually blatant in its unscriptural approach, and a subtle movement taking the church back under the pope.

Furthermore, there is the constant attack on the veracity of the word of God-- some blatant and some more subtle. I recently read an article that was ridiculing the idea of taking the Bible literally. That began of course with Origen, who among other heresies, promoted taking Scripture figuratively. He was the one to introduce replacement theology and it permeated the vast majority of Christendom-- both Catholic and Protestant. That deception has carried on for nearly 2000 years. Consequently, almost no knowledge of the end time prophecy is in many of our churches today. If Israel disappeared shortly after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, as Origen taught, then naturally no prophecy can be fulfilled because the heart of prophecy is Israel. What a deception! Further deception is destroying the glorious gospel of grace by bringing all the various works religions onto center stage. But the more deception we see, the closer we are to the Lord's shout and trumpet. Remember the word trumpet is singular in Paul's letters-- not plural as in the book of Revelation. The rapture too is coming more and more into the gun sights of the deceivers. Very few pastors and preachers ever mention it and it is being ridiculed far more than encouraged. But as Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 2:3, "let no man deceive you." Stay with the truth of Scripture. II Peter 3:15-16. "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; 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".

Who is Les Feldick

http://lesfeldick.org/les-biog.html

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

Read the KJV BIBLE in large print (Click Here)

(A 10 Minute Video)

Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

 Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com

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Two Sides Of One Coin - Pastor C. R. Stam

    “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (II Cor. 12:15).

The true man of God will faithfully serve the congregation which the Lord has entrusted to him without thought of reward. Like Paul, he will “gladly spend and be spent” for them even if his toil and sacrifice go unappreciated. Where the congregation is too small to support him fully he will cheerfully engage in enough secular work to supply the deficiency. This is as it should be for, in ministering to his people, he is serving God.

But there is another side to this coin, for Christian assemblies should appreciate the ministries of their pastors in their behalf. This is especially so where the minister gives himself unstintingly for his flock.

It is a sad fact that too many pastors are grossly underpaid. Most of the members of the congregation would not be willing to live on the low economic level on which they keep their pastor and his family living for years on end. He must be willing to sacrifice, but they must not be deprived of any of the luxuries to which they are accustomed. They do not realize how discouraging it can be for the pastor and his family to constantly have to do without, while the better- off members of the congregation hardly notice.

This is why the Apostle Paul reproved the niggardly Corinthians and declares: “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (I Cor. 9:14). And this, too, is why he wrote to the large-hearted Philippians:

    “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction ….Not that I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account” (Phil. 4:13-17).

Where true, Bible-believing pastors are concerned, let’s not be Corinthians; let’s be Philippians.
To the Reader:

Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

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

Read the KJV BIBLE in large print (Click Here)

(A 10 Minute Video)

Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

 Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com

E-mail this BIBLE STUDY to all your friends 

The Joy of Assurance - Pastor Art Sims

   Blessed assurance!  Isn’t it great that assurance is something we can enjoy.  Thank the Lord, we aren’t left to wish for this or hope we are saved.  In First Thessalonians 1:5 we read, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.”  Much assurance!  Our gospel, therefore, isn't a hope-so message but is clear and understandable truth that enables us to enjoy assurance.

   Our most basic reason for assurance is that the Gospel of the Grace of God is true.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is the One who gave this gospel (Gal. 1:11,12).  It is inconceivable that He failed to tell the truth when He gave it. Since the Gospel of His Grace is indeed true we can count on it and be sure about the salvation promised to us by this gospel.

   The Gospel of Grace declares that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and arose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4).  Therefore, we believe Him for His gift of eternal life, understanding that He purchased this for us when He died on the cross in payment for our sins and arose from the dead.  Since we are persuaded that this gospel is really true we do indeed have assurance about our salvation.

   Security is involved in assurance.  That is, we are sealed by the Spirit to the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30).  If it were possible to forfiet God’s gift of eternal salvation, how could anyone be sure they will not ultimately fail the Lord and wind up lost after all?  In that case, there could be no assurance.  But a believer who grasps the truth of security can be sure he will never be lost.  This confidence cannot be based upon our faithfulness to the Lord but only upon His faithfulness to us.  I may fail Him but He will never fail me.  Thus, being secure in Christ, I can be sure I will one day be with Him in heaven.

   Enjoying assurance, we have motives to live well pleasing to our Lord that flow from confidence.  We know we could never be good enough to earn our acceptance with God but we are sure we are going to heaven because eternal salvation is ours as the free gift of God. This assurance prods us to press on even though we may fail at times in our walk.  It is very instructive that the apostle Paul writes again and again about the settled position God has given to us and tells us to act like what we are.  He says we should be forgiving toward one another because God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us (Eph. 4:32).  If we are risen with Christ we should seek those things which are above (Col. 3:1).  “Now, are ye light in the Lord,” so “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).  Evidently, Paul viewed it as a powerful motivation to say we have things to live up to.  We therefore, because of our assurance, are motivated to live well pleasing to our Lord.

   What a great thing it is to enjoy the assurance of salvation!  Are you rejoicing in the joy and peace that comes from knowing eternal salvation is truly yours?  Assurance is available if we will take Christ at His word.  Believe Him.  We can rest our hearts upon the truth of the gospel that He has given.  He died for our sins, was buried and arose from the dead.  He is alive today, willing and able to bestow eternal life on any who will trust Him for this life that He provides.  This is the very heart of our gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4); Christ has “brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10).  By this gospel, we “believe on Him to life everlasting” (1 Tim. 1:16 ).  Thus do we enjoy assurance.

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

Read the KJV BIBLE in large print (Click Here)

(A 10 Minute Video)

Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

 Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com

E-mail this BIBLE STUDY to all your friends 

Changes in the Bible - Pastor Art Sims

   One reason Dispensational Bible study is important is because it enables us to appreciate all the teachings of the Bible without being confused by thinking everything in the Bible is about us today.  For example,

How Many of These Things in the Bible
Do You Think Apply to People Today?

Circumcision is needed for acceptance among God's people.  Genesis 17:14, Exodus 12:48
People who break the Sabbath should be killed.  Ex. 31:15, Numbers 15:36
It is wrong to eat ham. Leviticus 11:7,8
Believers should offer animal sacrifices. Leviticus 11:7,8, Matthew 8:4
Believers should handle snakes and drink poison without being harmed. Mark 16:16
Children should be dedicated with animal sacrifices like Jesus was in Luke 2:22-24.
The gift of the Holy Ghost is received through repentance and water baptism. Acts 2:38
The Spirit of God instantly transports people from one place to another like Philip was transported in Acts 8:39,40.
 
    Most Christians reading a list of teachings and happenings in the Bible like this, and surely any serious Bible students, will readily acknowledge that changes have taken place in God's dealings with man and that therefore such matters as these are not intended for our obedience and experience today.
   Indeed, these and many other matters are accounted for and are easy to appreciate when dispensational distinctions are acknowledged.  The light of God's word shines brightly when the dispensations of Scripture are respected.

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

Read the KJV BIBLE in large print (Click Here)

(A 10 Minute Video)

Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

 Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com

E-mail this BIBLE STUDY to all your friends 

Why We Believe the Bible Is God's Written Word Pastor Art Sims

Why We Believe the Bible Is God's Written Word 

Pastor Art Sims

1. One reason we believe the Bible to be the Word of God is because our Lord Jesus Christ believed this and spoke of the Scriptures in this way.

Referring to the commandments of the Law, Jesus said, "For God commanded, saying, honor thy father and mother..." (Matthew 15: 4). So according to Him, it wasn't simply that Moses said this, but God. In John 10:35 He said, "The Scripture cannot be broken." Thus, according to Jesus, the teachings of the Bible are solid and strong, so strong, they cannot be broken but will always stand true. Jesus' own words are the words of God. In Matthew 24:35, He declared, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away." While praying to the Father, He said, "I have given them thy word" (John 17:14). He told His apostles there were things He could not yet say to them but that the Holy Spirit was going to guide them into all the truth, giving them these further things (John 16:12). So we have the New Testament books of the Bible and statements such as 1 Cor. 14:37 where the apostle Paul wrote, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord."

2. Another reason we believe the Bible to be the Word of God is because of fulfilled prophecy. Many prophecies, written hundreds of years in advance, have been fulfilled in detail. A few examples are these:

Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of a Messiah (Christ). Daniel even predicted the time at which He would come. See Daniel 9:25.

The place where Christ would be born was predicted more than 600 years in advance. Micah 5:2, compare Matthew 2:1-6.

The fact that Christ's garments would be parted and lots cast for them was foretold. Psalm 22:18, Matthew 27:35.

It was also prophesied that the temple would be destroyed after Messiah was rejected (Daniel 9:26). History tells us the temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the army of Titus the Roman.

The great world empires of history were foretold in the book of Daniel. Daniel lived under the Babylonian empire, and predicted there would be 3 great empires after Babylon. These were Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. See Daniel 2:37-40, 8:1-9, 8:20-23.

We also find references to facts now known that weren't yet understood at the time the Bible was written. For example, the book of Job says God "hangeth the earth upon nothing" (Job 26:7). We wonder how Job could know this? We now know, of course, that the earth is suspended in space, but the Bible has said all along that God "hangeth the earth upon nothing." Again, we have tests today by which it can be determined that a piece of flesh is either dog, bird, human, etc. All along, however, the Bible has said, "All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds" (1 Cor. 15:39). Facts like these, contained in the Bible, are easily accounted for if we acknowledge that God directed the writers of Scripture in what they wrote.

3. A third reason is because it is logical for this book to exist.

The Bible presents a consistent message concerning God, the world, life, death and beyond. Answers are found in this book to the great questions human beings want and need to know. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Why do people die? Is there life after death? What is God really like? Can I know God? How can I know Him? If there is an intelligent, personal God who made mankind, it surely follows that He would desire to communicate these things to intelligent, personal beings He made. As God, He certainly would be capable of this, and if He did do this, it is reasonable He would put this communication into a permanent, reliable form, writing, a book, the Bible. Thus, it makes sense for a book to exist that gives us information from God.

4. We also find that the Bible claims to be the Word of God.

Over and over again, the writers of Scripture say, "Thus saith the Lord" and "The word of the Lord came unto me saying..." This oft repeated claim by writers of the Bible is either true or false. We believe it is true. Peter said, "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Pet. 1:21). In Second Timothy 3:16, we read, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." This is what the Bible claims for itself.

5. The consistency of the Bible, with intricately interwoven details, impresses us more and more as we read and study its teachings.

This fact about the Bible isn't appreciated right away, when we first become Bible students, but as we learn the structure of the Bible and its teachings, and grasp the details involved, considering that the books of the Bible were written over long centuries of time, all these things together powerfully confirm to us that the Bible has to be more than a collection of human ideas. How could so many details fit together like they do? God's hand had to be in it. Take, for example, Daniel chapter 9, Matthew 24, Second Thessalonians 2 and Revelation chapter 12. Study the details involved in these passages and consider how they dovetail together. And as you do, note this: that the amazing, detailed, intricate harmony of these passages isn't pointed out by the writers. Rather, this is left for Bible students like us to discover. It's nearly impossible to imagine human writers leaving things this way. Human writers, on their own, wouldn't want to chance their readers failing to notice how these details fit together. This speaks subtly, but powerfully, to our hearts as we study the Scriptures carefully. The Bible is indeed more than just a book written by men. It is truly the Word of God.

6. Vanishing "contradictions" confirm us even further in our belief that the Bible is truly what it claims to be.

Observing how weak the claims of critics who say the Bible contradicts itself actually are, and seeing again and again, examples of so called "contradictions" vanish away, we are confirmed even more in believing the Bible to be the written Word of God.

There really aren't any contradictions in the Bible. Sometimes a person reading the Bible may not be aware of a clarifying statement or teaching and this lack of knowledge may cause difficulties in some passages, but this is not a contradiction in the Bible. Sometimes people are careless in their reading and think the Bible says something it really doesn't. When someone compares what they think the Bible says with something it does say, this may well produce a contradiction. But this isn't a contradiction in the Bible. It seems to be a contradiction because true facts aren't known or understood.

One thing that causes more seeming contradictions than anything else is a failure by Bible readers to understand the dispensational programs of God in the Bible. Many people assume that God has been working out His purposes under just one program all the way through the Bible. Therefore they expect to find exactly the same teaching throughout the whole Bible. When they don't find this they condemn the Bible because it doesn't say what they think it should. This is truly unfortunate. We must learn that we today are living under a special dispensation of God's grace (see Eph. 3:1-10) and that significant differences exist between God's instructions to us in this dispensation and His instructions to people at other times. Religious circumcision (Gen.17:9-14), stoning people for breaking the sabbath (Ex. 31:15, Num. 15:36), restrictions upon certain foods (Lev. 11:7,8), preaching only to Jews, not to Gentiles (Matthew 10:5-6) are examples of teachings in the Bible that don't apply in our dispensation today. These are differences for sure, but not contradictions. Instead, they are deliberate changes God has made in His dealings with mankind. Thus, it is important for Bible students to learn about the dispensations of God. Doing this greatly increases our appreciation for the Bible, clarifying that differences which may seem contradictory to some people aren't contradictions at all but are teachings, testifying together as important stages in the overall plan and purpose of God. This knowledge greatly strengthens our faith in the Bible and makes our study of God's Word a very delightful and satisfying endeavor.

7. Finally, we believe the Bible because we are caused to believe it by the Holy Spirit of God Who testifies to our hearts that the teachings of the Bible are true.

In Ephesians 6:17 the Scriptures are referred to as "the sword of the Spirit." We believe the Holy Spirit does indeed pierce the hearts of men with this powerful sword. In John chapter 16 we find that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness and of judgment. These teachings of the Bible, impressed upon people by God's Holy Spirit, influence us to see that the teachings of the Bible are true.

^{Recovery Of Truth - O'Hair - YouTube}

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

Read the KJV BIBLE in large print (Click Here)

(A 10 Minute Video)

Jesus is JEHOVAH The One True GOD (Click Here)

 Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com

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Internal Rules for Bible Understanding - Pastor Art Sims

Principles provided by the Bible itself enable students of the Bible to properly read and grasp the true teachings of God's Word.  Seven principles, "internal rules," are these:
 
1. Rightly Divide the Word of Truth

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

  This principle confirms the harmony of the Bible, clarifying that changes made by God are not contradictions but deliberate differences recorded in Scripture that must be distingushed.  No one can get far in properly understanding the Bible without recognizing the divisions in Scripture established by God.

John 1:17 - "the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ"
Romans 6:14 - "ye are not under the Law but under Grace"
Ephesians 2:11,13 - "in time past" ... "but now"
Ephesians 3:2 - "the dispensation of the Grace of God which is given me"
Collossians 1:26 - "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations but now is made manifest"

2. Compare Scripture with Scripture

2 Peter. 1:20 - knowing this first: that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any "private" interpretation.

We should never take just one verse by itself, "private" from all else that the Bible says, but compare Scripture with Scripture. We must do this because ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God. In other words, all that the Bible says on any given subject must be taken into account. Comparing Scripture with Scripture enables us discover the true harmony of the Bible. We must not base our understanding on just one isolated verse of Scripture.

John 5:39 - Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures" which necessarily involves finding all the relevant statements of Scripture on any given subject so as to understand what is true.
Acts 17:11 - The people at Berea "searched the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so."

3. Respect the Authority of Scripture - 2nd Timothy 3:16

  "Given by inspiration of God" doesn't mean motivation by God, but rather that God gave the words.  The Greek word for "inspiration" is theopneustos [theos God and pneuma breath].  God breathed out the words of Scripture.  The Bible is His written Word.

1st Corinthians 14:37 - "commandments of the Lord"
Matthew 15:4 - "God commanded"
1st Thessalions 2:13 - "ye received the Word of God... as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh in you that believe"

4. Remember that inspiration extends to the words, not merely the gist of the Bible

1st Corinthians 2:13 - "words which the Holy Ghost teacheth"
Matthew 24:35 - "My words shall not pass away"
Galatians 3:16 - "He saith not seeds, as of many,.. but seed"

  Considering this, we should choose the translation we use, not merely for simplicity, but accuracy, and should learn to read with care and accuracy.

5. Do not add to or subtract from the Word of God

Deuteronomy 4:2 - "ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish"
Proverbs 30:6 - "add not thou to His words"
Revelations 22:18 - "if any man shall add unto these things God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book"


6. Do not wrest [twist] the Scriptures

2nd Peter 3:15,16 - "Paul hath written unto you...which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures"
Galatians 1:6 - "pervert the gospel of Christ"
2 Corinthians 1:17 - "many who corrupt the Word of God"

  We must not be like them but let the words of the Bible have their obviously intended meaning.

7. Be totally honest and sincere with the Bible

2 Corinthians 2:17 - "we are not as many who corrupt the Word of God, but as of sincerity"
Romans 16:18 - "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple"
2 Corinthians 4:2 - "[we] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully"

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

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Posted By Cecil  and Connie Spivey 

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