Straw Man Arguments (part 4)

The Bible plainly says that the church which is the Body of Christ was a mystery hid in God until He revealed it through the apostle Paul (Eph. 3:1-13) and that we are made members of this one spiritual Body by believing the gospel (Eph. 3:6). Which gospel? The one that Christ revealed through Paul (Gal. 1:11-12). But for some reason most fundamental preachers think that is some kind of dangerous heresy and they are dogmatic that God started building the Body of Christ before Paul was saved. A dispensation is a dispensing of divine revelation with corresponding human responsibility. How could this present dispensation begin before Christ dispensed the distinctive truths of it through Paul? 

 

Another straw man argument goes something like this, "Paul himself said that he persecuted the church before he was saved (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13) and he referred to those who were in Christ before him (Rom. 16:7)."

 

This is a straw man argument because the fact that there was a church before Paul was saved and that there were believers in Christ before him in no way refutes our position. 

 

What is a church? It is simply a called out assembly. We don't read the word "church" in the OT because it is translated from Greek and not Hebrew. However we know there was a church in the OT because that is what Stephen said Israel was when they were called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness (Acts 7:38). David prophesied of the kingdom church in Ps. 22:22-31. When the writer of Hebrews quotes Ps. 22:22 he says "church" instead of "congregation" (Heb. 2:12). The church in Jerusalem was certainly the church of God but it was a prophesied church looking for the Messianic kingdom (Acts 1:6; 2:30) and not a mystery hid in God! The Body of Christ is a church but not every church in the Bible is the Body of Christ.

 

What makes the Body of Christ distinct is not that we are "in Christ" but that we are "one new man" (Eph. 2:15) in which there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal. 3:27-28). Every believer that is redeemed by the blood of Christ is "in Christ" and so ALL believers on this side of the cross are "in Christ". A person can only be "in Adam" or "in Christ" (1 Cor. 15:22). When Israel is saved under the new covenant they will be "in the LORD" but they will still be a distinct nation with authority over the Gentiles.

 

(Isaiah 45:17) But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

 

(Isaiah 45:24-25) Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.  {25} In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

 

In the eternal state the nation of Israel, the saved Gentile nations, and the Body of Christ will be one family of God and will all be "in Christ"! But these groups will remain distinct throughout eternity.

 

(Ephesians 1:10) 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 3:14-15) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  {15} Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

 

Another proof text I have often heard preachers use is found in the account of Paul's conversion.

 

(Acts 9:4-5) "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  {5} And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

 

We are told that this verse proves Paul persecuted the Body of Christ. Was Christ talking about the Body of Christ in the following passage? No, He was talking about Jewish saints in the tribulation period!  

 

(Matthew 25:31-46) ¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:  {32} And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  {33} And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  {34} Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  {35} For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  {36} Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  {37} Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  {38} When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  {39} Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  {40} And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  {41} Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  {42} For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  {43} I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  {44} Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  {45} Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  {46} And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

 

 

Straw Man Arguments (part 3)

I ended the last post by saying that we must consider what the apostle Paul says and follow him. That point brings up another common straw man argument against right division. 

"I follow Christ, not Paul." 

Sounds real pious, doesn't it? The implication is that we follow Paul as a man, but nothing could be further from the truth! Paul rebuked those at Corinth who were following him as a man. He ALSO rebuked those who said they were of Apollos, Peter, and even Christ (1 Cor. 1:11-12). Scofield wrote in his introduction to 2 Corinthians, "It is evident that the really dangerous sect in Corinth was that which said, "and I of Christ" (1 Cor. 1:12). They rejected the new revelation through Paul of the doctrines of grace; grounding themselves, probably, on the kingdom teachings of our Lord as "a minister of the circumcision" (Rom. 15:8); seemingly oblivious that a new dispensation had been introduced by Christ's death. This made necessary a defence of the origin and extent of Paul's apostolic authority." 

After Paul rebuked those at Corinth who were following him as a man, he went on to instruct them to follow him! 

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1 Cor. 3:10)

Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. {17} For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Cor. 4:16-17) 

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. (1 Cor. 7:17)

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1)

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. (1 Cor. 14:37)

We are not to follow Paul as a man (isn't that obvious?!) but as the divinely appointed pattern and spokesman for the Body of Christ in this present age. All the words in his thirteen inspired epistles are the words of God, not his own words. The apostle Peter recognized Paul's epistles as scripture and "All scripture is given by inspiration of God". 

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. (2 Pet. 3:15-16)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Tim. 3:16) 

The words in Romans through Philemon are just as much the words of Christ as the words in Matthew through John! In reference to what he taught in 1 Tim. 6:1-2, the apostle Paul said:

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. (1 Tim. 6:3-5)

The risen and glorified Christ from heaven revealed mysteries for this present age through His chosen vessel, the apostle Paul. Just as Christ sent the 12 apostles to the 12 tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28), He sent Paul to the Body of Christ (Col. 1:24-29). How can you reject Paul's authority and yet claim to follow Christ?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (John 13:20)

God raised up Moses to be His spokesman to the nation of Israel. He took him up on a mount in Arabia (Sinai is in Arabia, Gal. 4:25) and revealed the Law to him. When Israel departed from the Law of Moses they were in apostasy. Likewise, God raised up Paul to be His spokesman to the Body of Christ. He took him out into Arabia (Gal. 1:17) and revealed mysteries to him. We are living in days of apostasy because the professing church has departed from the distinctive message and ministry of Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul warned about this apostasy in his last inspired letter. 

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. {14} That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. {15} This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Tim. 1:13-15)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; {4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

The apostle Paul again and again talks about and defends his distinct message and ministry. He magnified his office as the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). Why do so many Christians try to diminish what God has magnified? Paul was not puffed up about himself.

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. {10} But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor. 15:9-10)

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Eph. 3:8)

I want to close this post by challenging those who claim they follow the teachings of Christ in the Gospel records. I understand that Christ taught many moral principles in His earthly ministry that still apply today, but have you ever really thought about Rom. 15:8?

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (Rom. 15:8)

In His earthly ministry Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24) and He taught pure law (Matt. 5:17-20). Do you really follow the teachings of Christ in the Gospel records? How about these, for example:

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. (Matt. 8:4) 

... Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: {6} But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. {7} And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. {8} Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. {9} Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, {10} Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (Matt. 10:5b-10)

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? {17} And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matt. 19:16-17)

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, {2} Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: {3} All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (Matt. 23:1-3) 

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. {33} Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. (Luke 12:32-33) 

The last words of Christ are not found in the "Great Commission". Christ continued to speak from heaven through His apostles and the books of Acts through Revelation are the words of Christ! To try and pit the words of Christ against the words of Paul is to deny the inspiration of scripture.

Straw Man Arguments (part 2)

The most common straw man argument that is made against right division usually goes something like this, "Well, I believe that we need the whole Bible and not just Paul's epistles."

 

I have never read or heard ANY "hyperdispensationalist" even imply that believers should only read and study Paul's epistles! We who follow Paul (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1) as the divinely appointed pattern and spokesman for this present age are well aware of what he said about this matter:

 

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Rom. 15:4)

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Cor. 10:11)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Tim. 3:16)

 

Every word of God is pure (Prov. 30:5) and we would not diminish the importance of a single word of scripture! It is our spiritual nourishment and we are to feed on every word it (Matt. 4:4). There are spiritual applications that we can draw from every book. I have read through the entire Bible more times that I can remember. I have read it all the way through in as little as 90 days (and I am a slow reader). I try to read from the Old Testament every evening. I have preached expository messages from MANY passages outside of Paul's epistles. I have taught verse by verse through a number of books NOT written by Paul. Just recently I preached verse by verse through one of my favorite psalms (Ps. 19).

 

But, while all the Bible is for us, it was not all written about us or directly to us. Before Paul said that "All scripture... is profitable", he said (in the same epistle) that we must rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). When we fail to follow this divine key to Bible study the word of God can become unprofitable. When that is the case the problem is not with the Bible but with how people misuse it. Most of the false doctrine that abounds today is a result of not following 2 Tim. 2:15.

 

Rightly dividing the word of truth is not distinguishing truth from error (which we also need to do). All the Bible is the word of truth. To rightly divide the word of truth is to recognize and consistently maintain the divisions that God put in His word. What therefore God hath put asunder, let not man join together! For example, the word of truth that Peter preached to the men of Israel as recorded in Acts 2:36-38 is not the word of truth by which sinners are saved in this age of grace (Eph. 1:13). God makes a clear division in His word between the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God. I have heard preachers claim that Peter preached the same gospel as Paul in Acts 2 because he mentioned the death and resurrection of Christ. Yes, Peter preached the cross in Acts 2 but he preached it as a murder indictment (v.23, 36)! He certainly did not glory in the cross and announce the good news that Christ died for our sins. Yes, Peter preached the resurrection of Christ in Acts 2 but he declared that He was raised to sit on the throne of His father David (v.30), not that he was raised to be the Head of one new spiritual man wherein there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Eph. 1:20-23).

 

We are well aware of the truth that the Lord does not change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8). He is perfect and therefore does not change in His person, moral principles, and promises. However, He certainly changes in His dealings with man (compare Ps. 51:11 with Eph. 4:30)! There is horizontal truth that runs like a straight line through the whole Bible. For example, from the beginning it has been sin to commit murder. There is also vertical truth that has been revealed progressively resulting in changes. For example, we are living in the only dispensation in which we are free to eat whatever we want (1 Tim. 4:4-5). Thank God for that! Christ gave the apostle Paul an "abundance of revelations" (2 Cor. 12:7) for the Body of Christ in this present age. There are some major differences between how God deals with us under Grace and how He dealt with Israel under the Law.

 

Rightly dividing the Bible is not "chopping up the Bible" or "doing away" with any part of it. Actually, it helps us to understand the Bible and thereby causes us to get a greater blessing out of it than ever before! Most treat the Bible as a devotional book but it was given primarily for DOCTRINE (2 Tim. 3:16). There is certainly nothing wrong with making devotional applications. However it is wrong to make a secondary devotional application to be the primary doctrinal interpretation of a passage. We should study the whole Bible but when we come across something that does not line up with the specific doctrines that Christ revealed through Paul for us in this age, we must consider what Paul says first (2 Tim. 2:7) and then follow him (Phil. 4:9).

 

 

Straw Man Arguments Against Right Division (part 1)

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. (Prov. 18:13)  

And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. (Rom. 3:8)

 

 

Charles Finney once said, "Before you are able to convince me of error you must first demonstrate that you understand what I say." Although I disagree with some things that Finney taught (and yes, I understand what he was saying), I do appreciate and understand that statement! Every Bible teacher will at some time or another feel like they have been misrepresented or even slandered concerning what they believe and teach. That is just an unavoidable reality, especially in this technological age in which everybody thinks they are an expert and they have a "platform" online to spout off about how much they think they know. I am not complaining about criticism. I read that Harry Ironside had a sign in his office that read, "To Avoid Criticism: Do Nothing; Say Nothing; Be Nothing."

 

The purpose of this series of posts is not to defend myself but to encourage and help those who understand the distinctiveness of Paul's ministry in this present age as the apostle to the Gentiles (Eph. 3:1-12). When you first learn this truth and how it opens up the Bible to be understood more than ever before (2 Tim. 2:7), you immediately think, "How did I not see this before?" You then assume that other Christians that haven't seen it yet will also want to learn this great and important truth and so you excitedly begin to tell others what you have learned. It usually doesn't take long to discover that many professing Christians are apathetic about learning the word of God and if they do have any measure of zeal it is for tradition and not Bible truth. As soon as they hear something that sounds different than what they have always heard they just dismiss it without any further investigation or consideration. Those who seem to be receptive are often scared off by preachers who warn them about the dangers of that dreaded theological disease they call "Hyperdispensationalism".

 

Do you know who a Hyperdispensationalist is? Why, it is anyone who is more dispensational than you are! Much of what is called "Hyperdispensationalism" is not really that at all and most people who carelessly hurl that term around don't even know what it means. The prefix "hyper" means to go over and beyond. Hyperdispensationalism is the error of putting divisions in the Bible where they don't really exist. The teaching that the Church which is the Body of Christ did not begin until Acts 28:28 (called the "dispensational boundary line" by Welch) is legitimate Hyperdispensationalism. We know that the Body of Christ started during the Acts Period because Paul wrote about it in epistles that he wrote during that time (Rom. 12:5; 16:25; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27-28). But is it going over and beyond what the Bible says to believe and teach that there is a difference Peter's ministry to Israel in early Acts and Paul's ministry to the Body of Christ? Instead of letting some man tell you what to think, why not just carefully read and consider the following verses:

 

The apostle Peter said to Israel in Acts 3:19-24, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;  {20} And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:  {21} Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.  {22} For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.  {23} And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.  {24} Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days." 

 

The apostle Paul said to the Body of Christ in Romans 16:25-27, "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,  {26} But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  {27} To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."

 

The apostle Paul also said to the Body of Christ in Ephesians 3:1-9, "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,  {2} If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  {3} How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  {4} Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  {5} Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  {6} That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  {7} Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  {8} Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;  {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:"

 

How can that which was SPOKEN by the prophets since the world began possibly be the same as that which was kept SECRET and HID IN GOD since the world began? The former concerns the kingdom that God promised to establish on the earth (Israel over the Gentiles) and the latter concerns the spiritual and heavenly Body of Christ (that is neither Jew nor Gentile).

 

The scripture is crystal clear on the difference between the prophetic kingdom program of Israel and the mystery program of the Body of Christ. To acknowledge and consistently maintain this division is to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). Sadly, many will not go to the scripture itself and "prove all things" (1 Thess. 5:21). They will not search the scriptures for themselves to see if it is so (Acts 17:11). They would rather go to the internet or some man to find out what they should believe. Over the years I have heard many pitiful straw man arguments against right division. This month I plan to do several posts in which I will answer them from the word of God. 

 

From Wikipedia:

"A straw man is an intentional misrepresentation of an opponent's position, often used in debates with unsophisticated audiences to make it appear that the opponent's arguments are more easily defeated than they are. ^[1] Unintentional misrepresentations are also possible, but in this case, the individual is guilty only of simple ignorance. While their argument would still be fallacious, they can be at least excused of malice. The title of the argument comes from the art of practicing fighting techniques against men made of straw: which is a problem in that straw men don't fight back, don't wear armor, don't bleed and generally aren't anything like the sort of thing you would actually encounter in a battle."

The Trinity

John 1:1-3, 14
(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
(2) The same was in the beginning with God.
(3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made
(14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 5:7
(7) For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

The scriptures reveal that there are three distinct persons that make up "the Godhead" (Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:20; Col. 2:9). Christians have long referred to this Bible doctrine as the Trinity. Those that deny this truth make an issue out of the word “Trinity” not being found in the Bible. The word “incarnation” is not in the Bible. The word “rapture” is not in the Bible. The word “Bible” is not even in the Bible! But there is certainly nothing wrong with using such terms in reference to Bible doctrines. The Trinity is a fundamental of the Christian faith and is therefore only denied by cults and heretics.  

 

Those that deny the Trinity accuse us of worshipping three Gods. No, we believe that there is only ONE true and living God (as the Bible clearly says in many passages). But we also believe that the true and living God exists in three co-equal Persons (as the Bible also clearly teaches in many passages). The heretics say that doesn’t make sense to them (human reasoning is their final authority, not the word of God). I know why they cannot receive it and why it is foolishness to them (1 Cor. 2:14)! There are many things about my infinite God that my finite mind cannot humanly comprehend but I believe what the Spirit reveals to me about God through His word.

 

Is it any wonder that 1 John 5:7 is one of the most attacked verses in the Bible?! Corrupt manuscripts and modern versions that are based upon them omit the verse. Even the Old Scofield Reference Bible has a marginal note that says, “It is generally agreed that v.7 has no real authority, and has been inserted.” Generally agreed among whom? Who cares! My final authority is not the "scholarship" of men but the pure words of God. There is manuscript evidence for this verse but the KJB itself is the best evidence that it belongs in the word of God! Believing and rightly dividing the KJB will save us from apostasy, heresy, and deception.  

 

The scripture was given as a progressive revelation. The Trinity is intimated in the OT (examples: Gen. 1:26-27; 11:5-9; Isa. 6:1-8; 7:14; 9:6-7; Dan. 3:24-25; Mic. 5:2) and clearly revealed and emphasized in the NT. The following lists provide examples and are by no means exhaustive.

 

Father, Son, and Spirit are called God:

1) The Father (Phil. 2:11)

2) The Son (Heb. 1:8)

3) The Holy Ghost (Acts 5:3-4)

 

Mentioned together in the same passage as three distinct Persons:

1) Baptism of Christ (Matt. 3:16-17)
2) Christ promising the Comforter (Jn. 14:16)
3) Kingdom Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)
4) Apostolic benediction (2 Cor. 13:14)
5) Unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:4-6)

 

Same attributes applied to Father, Son, and Spirit:

1) Eternal (Father, Ps. 90:2; Son, Mic. 5:2; Spirit, Heb. 9:14)

2) Omnipotent (Father, Job 42:2; Son, Rev. 19:6; Spirit, Rom. 15:19)

3) Omniscient (Father, Jer. 17:10; Son, Rev. 2:23; Spirit, Heb. 4:12)

4) Omnipresent (Father, Jer. 23:24; Son, Matt. 18:20; Spirit, Ps. 139:7)

5) Holy (Father, Jn. 17:11; Son, Rev. 3:7; Spirit, Eph. 4:30)

6) True (Father, Jn. 7:28; Son, 14:6; Spirit, 1 Jn. 5:6)

 

The Trinity working in Unity as the Godhead:

1) Creation – The Spirit moved (Gen. 1:2), God spoke, Christ (the Word) created all things (Jn. 1:1-3); God said, "Let US make man in OUR image" (Gen. 1:26)

2) Incarnation – The Father gave (Jn. 3:16-17), the Spirit placed the seed (Matt. 1:18; Lk. 1:35), and the Son was born of the virgin (Matt. 1:18-25)

3) Resurrection ("But God raised him from the dead", Acts 13:30) – Father (Gal. 1:1), Son (Jn. 10:17), Spirit (Rom. 8:11)

4) Salvation (Father, Eph. 1:3-6; Son, Eph. 1:7-12; Spirit, Eph. 1:13-14)

5) Prayer – We pray to the Father (Eph. 3:14), in name of the Son (Eph. 5:20), in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18)

How to Pray

Things to Come: A Journal of Biblical Literature 

September, 1898

Question and Answers 

Question No. 183

"I am much perplexed by much that is said and written about prayer. Private prayer I mean; i.e. when and how I ought to pray, or whether I ought to be definite in my prayer and to what extent?" 

The answer to your question will be found in the definition of the term "prayer". What is prayer? Our hymn says truly, "Prayer is the Christian's vital breath." Or, it may be more accurately expressed by saying Prayer is the breath of the new nature. Just as the natural breath is the sign and evidence of physical life- so prayer is the mark and sign of the possession of spiritual life. The analogy is complete. Natural life commences with breathing and the breathing produces a cry. It is so with the New Birth. A New Life is imparted- "the breath of life" is breathed- a cry is produced and prayer goes forth "God be merciful to me a sinner." From that moment the breathing continues as the spontaneous outcome of the New Life. We require no more rule for the one breathing than the other. No knowledge of Physiology is required for the one, and no knowledge of theology is necessary for the other. Indeed one has often listened to discourses on Physiology till one has exclaimed, "Pray say no more or I shall be afraid to breathe!" So it is with the breathing of the new nature. The moment it becomes the subject of discussion or of rule- its essence is gone. We are such formalists by nature that we need nothing to encourage formalism in our prayers. Our efforts should be used in the opposite direction. The moment we reason about prayer we make it artificial. But true prayer is spontaneous. Our business in natural life is to breathe and not to think about it. Our business in spiritual life is to breathe (i.e. to pray) and not to think about it. The moment we begin to think about our prayer we are occupied with the means and lose the end. We are reminded of an old rhyme which we recently heard, but which illustrates our meaning exactly: - 

"The centipede was happy quite

Until the toad, in fun

Said, Pray which foot goes after which?

Which moved his mind to such a pitch

He lay distracted in the ditch

Considering- How to run."

We immediately pointed the moral and put it into the following form: - 

The praying soul was happy quite

Until some one did say

Prayer must be this, and that, and thus!

Which put his mind in such a fuss

That here and there in vain he'd rush

To find out- How to pray!

Nothing can be added to this great truth or to its lesson. As to "definiteness in prayer," well, if we were omniscient we would be very definite, but believing that God knows what is best, we are content to very definitely ask Him to do all He knows to be best. Unfortunately most Christians think they know better than God, and hence very definitely decide what they want Him to do. And this- in spite of the fact that He has told them that "we know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Rom. viii.26). 

For our part we have but one desire in this matter, and that is that He would do all His will! By our increasing knowledge of Him (Eph. i.17) we are so convinced of His infinite love and infinite knowledge, and infinite power that to substitute for these the definiteness of our "infirmities" (Rom. viii.26) would be our infinite loss. 

Five Results of Justification

(Romans 5:1-11) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; {4} And patience, experience; and experience, hope: {5} And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. {6} For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. {8} But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. {9} Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. {10} For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. {11} And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

By inspiration of God the apostle Paul reveals and expounds the doctrine of justification by faith in Rom. 3:21-5:21. In the above passage we find some of the blessed results of being justified by faith. Notice that the first word in v.1 is “Therefore”. What is said in the passage is based on what was said in the previous two chapters concerning justification. Notice that our justification is spoken of as a done deal (“being justified”). The blessings that “we have” (v.2,11) are the result of this justification. We did not earn the great blessings spoken of in this passage. They are ours "through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.1, 11)

We receive justification through faith alone without works. But our justification is BY the faith of Christ (Rom. 3:22; Gal. 2:16). The apostle Paul speaks of the “faith OF Christ” seven times in his epistles. The doctrine of justification by the faith of Christ is only found in Paul's epistles. Jesus Christ was obedient to His Father's will (Phil. 2:8). The Father made Him a promise before the world began (Titus 1:2). He had faith in the Father's will, promise, word, and plan. By His faith He accomplished what the Father sent Him to do. His faith is perfect and proven. Because we are justified by His faith there is no need for our faith to be tried in respect to justification like the tribulation saints (Jam. 2:14-26). Our justification is not a process. It is instant and permanent. 

 

Being justified by faith, WE HAVE: 

1. Peace with God
As lost sinners we were enemies of a righteous and holy God (Rom. 5:10; 8:7-8). I believe that deep down all lost sinners have a sense of that reality to a degree in their heart (of course, Holy Ghost conviction intensifies that reality). That is why so many are going about trying to do what they can to make peace with God. But it is not possible for sinners to make peace with God by their own works. He will not accept anything that we try to offer Him. We do not need to make peace with God because Christ made that peace for us when He died on the cross for our sins! He made reconciliation for us (Rom. 5:10). Peace with God is only available "through our Lord Jesus Christ". He made the "atonement" for our sins through His blood (Rom. 5:11). An atonement is basically a payment that is made to bring two disputing parties together (at-one-ment). The payment is made by the offending party to the aggrieved party. Since in our case, we could not make the necessary payment, the aggrieved party actually became one of us so that He could make the payment for us! The word atonement is used 81 times in the OT and just once in the NT. The blood sacrifice of animals atoned for the sins of the people but is was not permanent. The atonement that Christ made with His blood is permanent! In the OT an atonement was made but in the NT "the atonement" is received. The moment that we receive Christ by faith we instantly and permanently have peace with God through the reconciliation and atonement that Christ accomplished through the blood of His cross! Our peace WITH God can never be altered (this is different from the peace OF God).

2. Access to God
It is by GRACE that we have a right standing before God. As a result of this standing we have full and free access directly to God by faith. This access to God has not always been available to man. Before Adam fell into sin he walked with God in the Garden of Eden but after the fall God drove man out of the garden. When the law was given to Israel the people "stood afar off" and were warned not to come near Mt. Sinai "lest they die". In the tabernacle and then later the temple there was a thick veil that separated the people from God's presence in the most holy place. Only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. As Gentiles we were even further off from God. There was a middle wall of partition that kept us out (figuratively in the ordinances of the law and literally in the temple). But in Christ we are made nigh to God by His blood (Eph. 2:11-18). The apostle Paul is the only writer to use the word "access" (note that our access is by the faith of Christ, Eph. 3:12). This access is not through any man, any church, or any religion. It is only through being a member of the Body of Christ. As children of God we can go to our Father at any time and for any reason and know that He loves us and welcomes us into His presence. He accepts us as He does Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:14-16)!

3. Hope of the Glory of God
The first three results relate to our past, present, and future. "Peace with God" takes care of the past: He will no longer hold our sins against us! "Access to God" takes care of our present: we can come to Him at any time for the help we need! "Hope of the glory of God" takes care of the future: one day we will be glorified together with Him! The hope of the Church is the certain expectation and anticipation of Christ coming for us and being glorified together with Him. No matter what our circumstances may be, we can "rejoice in the Lord alway" because of this blessed hope that the Holy Spirit makes real in our heart. Anybody can rejoice in the good times. Do you rejoice in tribulations (Acts 16:25)? Because of this hope we can glory in our tribulations. Do we glory or gripe? We must suffer before we are glorified (Rom. 8:17). It is important for believers to KNOW that God uses the tribulations of life to help us grow spiritually. We will not glory in tribulations if we do not KNOW that (Jam. 1:2-4). Tribulation works patience and patience works experience (we experience that God's grace is sufficient) and experience works hope. Although we must endure tribulations in this life God has promised that we will not have to endure THE great tribulation that will come upon this world when He pours out His wrath (Rom. 5:9-10). When Christ comes secretly for the church He will save us from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 5:9) and we will not only be with Him but we will be like Him (Phil. 3:20-21)! We shall be saved by His life. Because He lives, we shall live (Rom. 4:25). A.C. Gaebelein wrote, "All believers are exempt from the wrath to come because they are one with Him who is the administrator of the judgments of God." 

4. Love of God 

It has been the rule, not the exception, for God's people to be persecuted in this world (2 Tim. 3:12). Our suffering and persecution does not mean that God does not love us or that He is punishing us (Phil. 1:28-30). God has already proven His love for us (Rom. 5:6-8). We are not ashamed to live by faith because the love of God is made real in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that is given to every believer upon salvation. He is the earnest and the seal (Eph. 1:11-14).

5. Joy in God
The world knows nothing of real and abiding joy for it is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Because of all that we have through justification by faith we can "joy in God" every day (Phil. 4:4)! Consider Paul's circumstances when he wrote Philippians! Real joy is not based on what is going on around us but on Christ who lives within us. NO amount of tribulation and suffering can diminish what we have in Christ.

 

These five results concern our unchangeable STANDING in Christ and confirm that we have eternal security as members of the Body of Christ.