Fall Away?

There are certain passages of scripture on which theological battles have been fought for hundreds of years. Perhaps the chief battle ground on which the issue of the eternal security of the believer has been fought is Hebrews 6:4-6.

(4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
(5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
(6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Is it possible for a member of the Body of Christ to “fall away” and lose salvation? There are many Bible teachers out there who persistently claim that this is the correct interpretation of this and other passages of scripture. The word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). When it is handled correctly it is the most beneficial thing there is. However, when it is handled wrongly it can be used to cause much damage and destruction. The Bible is also compared to fire (Jer. 20:9). A fire can be used for something good, like warming a house. But it can also be used for something bad, like burning the house down. The apostle Paul said that he was not guilty of “handling the word of God deceitfully” (2 Cor. 4:2) but sadly many others are. Satan had the audacity to misquote scripture to Christ as he sought to tempt Him! In Matthew 4:5-7 the Devil quoted Psalm 91:11-12 but purposely omitted the words, “to keep thee in all thy ways”. The promise of Psalm 91:11-12 was not given for the purpose Satan was trying to get Christ to use it for. Paul warned us that Satan has “false apostles, deceitful workers” and “ministers” who appear as “ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Our only safeguard against deception is Holy Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) and that “rightly divided” (2 Tim. 2:15).

As we rightly divide this passage it is very clear that it is not teaching that members of the Body of Christ can lose salvation. First of all, the passage is found in a book that was written to HEBREWS. There are no Hebrews in the Body of Christ (Gal. 3:26-28) for it is one new spiritual man (Eph. 2:15). We are not sure who wrote the book, but we are confident that it was not Paul. Apparently, false teachers wrote a letter to the church at Thessalonica and signed Paul’s name to it (2 Thess. 2:2). Therefore Paul gave an evidence of the letters he wrote to help the church determine the authenticity of his letters. Paul usually used someone else to actually pen the words that he spoke by inspiration but he personally wrote the salutation with his own hand in every letter. He cites this as a “token” to identify letters sent from him (2 Thess. 3:17). Every epistle in the Bible that was written by Paul starts with the same word – “Paul”. The book of Hebrews does not have this token salutation. The doctrinal material for this present dispensation is found in the letters of Paul (1 Cor. 3:10; 4:16-17; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 4:9; 2 Tim. 2:7) and his teaching on the eternal security of the believer is very clear. We are “sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30) by the Spirit. Because we have been justified, we are confident that nobody can lay “anything to the charge of God’s elect” (Rom. 8:33) and therefore we know that nothing shall be able to separate us from “the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39). Jesus told His Jewish disciples that they were in the hand of God (John 10:27-30). That’s a safe position but not as safe as being the hand of God! Believers in this present dispensation of grace are members of the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 5:25-32). This standing is not based on our works but solely on the person and work of Christ (Phil.3:7-9). If we are ever lost, than that means Christ failed and His body has been mutilated! This can never happen. Men that teach we can lose salvation based on Hebrews 6 deny the clear teaching of the apostle to the Gentiles in favor of scripture that was written to Hebrews.

The Book of Hebrews was written to show Jews how much better the new covenant is as compared with the old covenant. Although both covenants affect Gentiles, they are actually made with “the house of Israel” (Heb. 8:6-13). It is primarily written to Jews in the tribulation period, exhorting them to ENDURE and be faithful in order to obtain salvation. The Bible is a complete revelation. Where is the scripture for the multitudes of tribulation saints? We believe that Hebrews through Revelation was written for them (of course there applications in these epistles for us too). For example, Hebrews 3:14 teaches that people in the Tribulation period are not “partakers of Christ” unless they remain “stedfast unto the end”. The “end” refers to the Second Coming of Christ to the earth at which point Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:26). This matches the teaching of Christ concerning the condition for salvation in the tribulation period (Matt. 24:13). Today, believers are INSTANTLY in the Body of Christ upon salvation. 

In Hebrews 3-4 the provocation of God at Kadesh-barnea is mentioned. This was the great crisis in the history of Israel as they were ready to go into the Land of Promise. In Numbers 14 we learn that Israel had been enlightened, they had tasted of the fruits of the land, they had experienced miraculous powers, and they had the good word of God. But they turned back in unbelief because of the giants in the land. That generation missed their opportunity to enter the land and died in the wilderness over the next 40 years. When judgment was pronounced by God, they had a change of heart and presumed to go in. God was not with them so they were defeated in battle and could not enter the land. They fell away and could not be renewed unto repentance. In the same manner Israel at Pentecost had been enlightened by the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, they had tasted of the heavenly gift, they tasted the good word of God that was preached to them, and they experienced the signs and wonders of the coming kingdom age (“world to come” Heb. 6:5b). They were on the threshold of the kingdom (Acts 3:19-21) yet they, like their fathers, turned back in unbelief. The kingdom was postponed in Acts 7 and God ushered in a new dispensation that He had kept secret since the world began. The risen and glorified Christ from Heaven revealed the mystery of this present age to the apostle Paul. After this age closes with the mystery of the rapture Israel will have a final opportunity to repent and receive her King and His kingdom. There will be a godly remnant of Israel that receives the King and His kingdom and will enter their land fully and finally redeemed by the blood of the new covenant. 

No one today could duplicate the experience of Hebrews 6:4-6 any more than they could Numbers 14. National Israel committed the "unpardonable sin" (Matt. 12:31-32) of rejecting the Holy Spirit’s testimony to the risen Messiah after Pentecost and they are now blinded in part until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (Rom. 11:25). No one today is tasting of “the powers of the world to come” and so since the conditions laid down in Hebrews 6 are not being met today, neither are the consequences.

Acts 2 (part 3)

In our last post we considered the apostle Peter’s message to the men of Israel on the day of Pentecost (vs.14-40) in which he proved from the scriptures that the same Jesus that they rejected and crucified was raised and exalted by God and that He is both Lord and Christ. The end of the chapter records the response of the Jews to that message (v.41) and the manner of living of the church at Jerusalem (v.42-47). 

The Response (v.41)

3,000 Jews gladly received Peter’s invitation to repent and be baptized. They had been pricked in the heart and were troubled by their guilt of crucifying their Messiah and so when they heard that they could receive the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost they GLADLY responded. That 3,000 were saved on Pentecost is usually held up as example of great revival. However, there was a great multitude that heard the message and the majority did not repent. The whole nation needed to repent (note "every one of you" in v.38) and although 3,000 was a good start it was still a comparatively small number in light of the fact that the whole nation needed to repent.

This verse is often used as a proof text to teach that water baptism puts you into the church. However, what happens in this verse is in response what Peter said to Israel in v.38 which is not the message we are to preach today (compare with Acts 16:30-31). Peter did not tell these Jews to be baptized to join the church but to receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We should never rip a verse out of its context in order to support a preconcieved idea. In this present age every believer is baptized by the Spirit into the church which is the Body of Christ upon salvation (1 Cor. 12:13). That is the "one baptism" upon which the fellowship of the Body of Christ is to be based (Eph. 4:5). Yes, the apostle Paul baptized believers (Acts 16, 18) but there is no record of him commanding it as a requirement for church membership. I believe in the importance of the local church and that water baptism is for this age but I don't believe water baptism is required for salvation or fellowship. The only passages of scripture that REQUIRE water baptism are in the context of Israel and the gospel of the kingdom. 

The 3,000 repentant Jews were said to be added to “them”. Who are the “them” (v.47)? This is the first mention of the word “church” in Acts. A church is simply a called-out assembly and the term is NOT exclusive to this age (there was an OT church, Acts 7:38). The church in early Acts was made up of Jews that believed the gospel of the kingdom and were therefore called out of unbelieving Israel (v.40) and assembled as the “little flock” of true Israel (Lk. 12:32). This church was in existence before Acts 2, else how could the 3,000 souls be added to it (Acts 1:4, 15)? The church we read about in the beginning of the book of Acts is made up of Jews only (Acts 11:19) and they are still operating with the kingdom in view. Many preachers claim that we are to follow the pattern of the church in Acts 2 but I don’t see any of them doing it.

The Manner of Living of the Church at Jerusalem (vs.42-47)  

They were stedfast in:

1. The apostles’ doctrine – Which was the doctrine Christ taught them in His earthly ministry and in the 40 days prior to His acension. It was all based OT prophecy concerning the kingdom (Acts 1:3; Rom. 15:8). 

2. Fellowship – They were together and in one accord. According to the order of words in this verse, their fellowship was based on their doctrine.

3. Breaking of bread – Some say this refers to the Lord’s Supper but it probably just refers to meals (v. 46)

4. Prayers – They observed the hours of prayer in the temple (Acts 3:1)

Being baptized with the Holy Ghost, the apostles had power to work the wonders and signs of the kingdom which caused the Jews to fear because this was being done in the name of the One they had crucified (v.43; 5:12-16).

Because the kingdom was still in view and they were expecting the return of their King they sold all possessions just as Jesus had instructed them (Lk. 12:32-33). This proved their faith because in the kingdom they will gain much more (Matt. 19:28). They were able to have all things common because they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. This does not work in the world because of man's sinful and selfish human nature (Marx misused this passage to teach communism). Compare this passage and Acts 4:32-37 with Paul's instruction to us in 1 Thess. 4:11-12 and notice the dispensational difference.

This church was in the TEMPLE every day for prayer and worship. There was no revelation at this point that they were not to operate according to the Law (see Peter's attitude in Acts 10:14, 28). 

Because they were in fellowship with God and one another they had joy (1 John 1:3-4). At this point the people showed favor to the disciples but soon the Jewish leaders will begin to bring persecution as they stubbornly refuse to repent. 

Acts 2 (part 2)

A simple outline of Peter's message in vs.14-40:

I. Introduction: Explanation of what was Taking Place (14-21)
II. Theme: Proof that Jesus is Lord and Christ (22-36)

III. Application and Conclusion (37-40)

 

The apostle Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost as he preached this message. These are not his words but God’s words thru him. Surely this is an example of what God expects preaching to be. The sermon is:

1. Pointed (directly addresses the audience)
2. Plain (clear and easy to understand, no complicated theological terms)
3. Powerful (v.37 - based on the word - Heb. 4:12)

Notice that there aren't any frivolous stories, jokes, or wasted words. It is very different from the average sermon preached in churches today.   

 

Introduction (vs.14-21)

 

(v.14) - Peter was appointed by Christ to be the leader among the 12 apostles (Matt. 16:19). The same man who in fear and confusion had denied the Lord is now going to speak with great boldness and authority for the Lord. The explanation for this transformation is that he saw the risen Christ and is now filled with the Holy Ghost.  

 

(v.15) - Peter quickly dismisses the ridiculous charge that they were drunk. Drunkenness certainly never made anyone smarter so how could they speak in other languages if they were drunk? Nobody in that culture got drunk at 9:00 AM (I Thess. 5:7). Not to mention the fact that it was a feast day and it was customary for the Jews to not eat or drink before that hour.

  

(vs.16-21) – Peter quotes the prophet Joel as an explanation of what was taking place. He did not say that the prophecy was being completely fulfilled (for example, vs.19-20 didn’t take place). He is saying that what was taking place was in ACCORDANCE with Joel’s prophecy. It was a foretaste of it and if the nation would repent it would be soon fulfilled. The “this” in “this is that” refers to the prophecy he was quoting. Peter certainly understood the prophecy that he was quoting because Christ opened prophecy to him (Lk. 24:45) and he was filled with the Holy Ghost. The prophet Joel says NOTHING about the Body of Christ and this present Mystery Age. Joel 2 deals with the tribulation period, Second Advent of Christ, and Kingdom Age which concern the LAST DAYS in regards to Israel (See Isa. 2:1-5, not to be confused with the last days of the mystery in 2 Tim. 3).

 

Theme (vs.22-36)

 

(vs.22-24) – The earthly ministry of Christ to Israel was filled with works that proved He was sent by God the Father (Jn. 5:36) but they rejected and crucified their Messiah because they were in spiritual darkness. The Jews thought that the fact Jesus was crucified proved He was not the Messiah because they were looking for a mighty King to rule and reign on the earth. Peter explains that the crucifixion was planned by God (God knew they would reject Him) but that they were responsible for it (He did not make them reject Him). The very One that they crucified, God raised from the dead. 

 

(vs.25-31) - Peter quotes the prophecy of David about the resurrection of Christ found in the 16th Psalm. It was not possible that Christ should “be holden” of death because He was the Holy One. Psalm 16 teaches that the Messiah would rise the 3rd day (corruption sets in on the 4th day, Jn. 11:39) and that after He was risen He would reign.  

 

(vs.32-36) – Peter says that he and the apostles are witnesses to the fact that God fulfilled Psalm 16 by raising up Christ from the dead. He is not only risen but He also ascended to Heaven and is exalted at the right hand of the Father. The fact that He sent the Holy Ghost as He promised and that they could see and hear the evidence of that proves it. Peter quotes Psalm 110 which teaches that the Messiah is the LORD and that after His rejection He would ascend back to Heaven until He returns to judge His enemies and set up His kingdom.  

 

Peter indicted Israel for murdering Jesus and let them know that God exalted that same Jesus as Lord and Christ. Yes, he talked about the death, burial, and resurrection but he did not preach the good news that Christ died for their sins and that they could be saved instantly and permanently by simply believing that. He preached the cross as bad news and did not glory in the cross as Paul later does after he received the gospel of the grace of God by revelation (Gal. 1:11-12; 6:14). If Peter knew that gospel in Acts 2, what was his problem in Acts 10 and why did Paul have to communicate his gospel to him in Acts 15 (Gal. 2)?

 

Application and Conclusion (vs.37-40)

 

(v.37) - Peter did not have to give an invitation because the people were under such conviction of the Spirit that they immediately spoke up and asked what they needed to do in light of the fact that they crucified their Messiah.

  

(v.38) – This verse is a Jewish apostle’s response to a question asked by Jews that just heard him preach a message about their Jewish Messiah and yet many are the false teachers that lift it from its context and try to force it on Gentiles today! This is the same message that John the Baptist preached except now it is with the promise of the Holy Ghost (Mk. 1:4-5) and Israel must repent for killing her Messiah. The phrase "for the remission of sins" in v.38 doesn't refer back to the cross (as many teachers claim it does) anymore than it did when John the Baptist preached it BEFORE the cross. The baptism of repentance did not look back to the cross but forward to the Second Coming of Christ when Israel will have their sins remitted as a nation (Acts 3:19). Water baptism didn’t save but it was required as an expression of the faith and repentance under the gospel of the kingdom (Mk. 16:16).

  

To prove that this message is NOT for us today just compare it with Acts 16:30-31 when the apostle to the Gentiles answered a Gentile sinner when he asked, "what must I do to be saved?" Water baptism is NOT part of the gospel of the grace of God (1 Cor. 1:17).

(v.39) – The promise of the Holy Ghost poured out was made to Israel. The “afar off” in this verse are not the Gentiles (as commonly taught) but the dispersed Jews (Dan. 9:7).

(v.40) – After reading 14-40 you might think that Peter’s sermon was short. Not every word of what he preached is recorded here. He exhorts them to separate from apostate Israel and take their place with the “little flock” that will inherit the kingdom (Matt. 21:43; Lk. 12:32).  

  

 

Acts 2 (part 1)

Acts 2 is one of the most misunderstood and abused chapters in the Bible. For example, the Charismatics try to use this chapter as a basis to teach that believers should seek "the-baptism-of-the-Holy-Ghost" with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues (2:4). Then there is the so-called “Church of Christ” and other groups that try to use this chapter to teach a sinner cannot be saved without water baptism (2:38). There are a number of false doctrines based on a misinterpretation of Acts 2. The reason for all this confusion is a failure to obey the divine rule of Bible study given in 2 Tim. 2:15. When we rightly divide the word of truth we understand that the present mystery dispensation in which we are living was not even revealed in Acts 2. If the Church which is the Body of Christ began in Acts 2 (as many claim), nobody knew about it at that time because it was a mystery revealed through Paul (Eph. 3:1-13) and he was not even saved until Acts 9. The basis upon which God is building the Body of Christ is the cross of Christ (Eph. 2:14-17) but that does not mean it was revealed at the time of the cross. What takes place in Acts 2 concerns the nation of Israel and their prophetic kingdom program (2:5, 14, 22, 36). 

The Day of Pentecost (2:1) 

The Day of Pentecost was a Jewish feast day. Leviticus 23 outlines the seven annual feasts of Israel that took place in the first 7 months of the year (7 is a key # in God’s dealings with Israel). These feasts have prophetic significance. The first three have been fulfilled (Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firtsfruits). The fourth (Pentecost) began to be fulfilled in Acts 2 but due to Israel’s rejection of the kingdom it still awaits complete fulfillment. The final three also await fulfillment. Here is an overview of the prophetic significance of the last four feasts:

4. Pentecost – On the day after the seventh Sabbath (50 days, "pente" = 50) was the day of Pentecost which was a celebration of the anticipated harvest. On this day two wave loafs with leaven were offered before the Lord. Some say these two loaves picture Jews and Gentiles that were baptized into one body in Acts 2. However, the only Gentiles present in Acts 2 were proselytes to Judaism (v.10). Also, the Body of Christ is not pictured by two loaves but ONE BREAD (1 Cor. 10:17). I think the loaves picture the division of Israel and Judah that will be made one in the kingdom (Ezek. 37:16-23). Notice that Peter says “men of Judea”, “men of Israel”, “all the house of Israel”.  God appointed the day of Pentecost as the day He would begin to pour out His Spirit. This was the baptism with the Holy Ghost that the Father promised and was in anticipation of the Kingdom Age.
5. Trumpets – Took place on the 1st day of the 7th month and pictures the re-gathering of Israel.
6. Day of Atonement – Took place on the 10th day of the 7th month and pictures the salvation of Israel upon the Second Advent of Christ.
7. Tabernacles – Took place on the 15th day of the 7th month and pictures the Kingdom Age.

The Baptism with the Holy Ghost (2:2-4)

The 120 disciples were all with one accord and in one place. At the appointed time Christ baptized them with the Holy Ghost (1:4-5). This did not take place because they tarried and prayed but simply because it was what God planned to do. This pouring out of God's Spirit was for power (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8) and it was in accordance with prophecy (Isa. 32:15; Joel 2:28). This is NOT the same spiritual baptism that Christ revealed to the apostle Paul and by which we are made members of the Body of Christ upon salvation (1 Cor. 12:13).

Baptism with the Holy Ghost            
1. Christ the Baptizer                                    
2. For power                                                  
3. According to prophecy                            
4. Jews and Gentiles distinct                    

Baptism by the Spirit
1. Spirit the Baptizer
2. For salvation

3. According to mystery
4. Neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal. 3:27-28)

What exactly took place when Christ baptized the disciples with the Holy Ghost?

1. A sound from heaven – The sound was “AS of a rushing mighty wind”. Christ associated wind with the Holy Ghost in Jn. 3:8 (see Ezek. 37:1-14). The wind did not fill the house but the sound that was AS wind did. This represented that the Spirit was coming in power.

2. Cloven tongues like as of fire – Again it says AS. Upon each of them sat what appeared as cloven (divided) tongues of fire. This was NOT the baptism with fire (Matt. 3:11-12).

3. Filled with the Holy Ghost – All of them were simultaneously filled with the Holy Ghost (this doesn’t happen today). They were completely under the Spirit’s control as a foretaste of how they will live in the Kingdom (Ezek. 36:24-28). The fullness of the Spirit in Acts is always in the context of signs and wonders (compare with Eph. 5:18-20).
4. Other tongues – This was not jibberish but actual languages that the disciples did not know (compare with when man tried to bring in the kingdom, Gen. 11:1-9). Tongues are used as a sign gift during the Acts period because of the Jews (1 Cor. 1:22; 14:21-22; 13:8-12). Tongues will be used again in the tribulation period when the gospel of the kingdom is preached by the 144,000 in all the world (Matt. 24:14; Mk. 16:15-18). 

 

The Response of the Multitude (2:5-13) 

Pentecost was one of Israel’s three annual feasts at which every male was required to appear at the sanctuary in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:14-17). A great multitude of Jews were in Jerusalem for the feast days. Over 500 years earlier the northern tribes of Israel were scattered by Assyria and then later the southern tribes of Judah were taken captive by Babylon with only a remnant returning to Jerusalem. That is why there were Jews dwelling in every nation under heaven (2:5). These Jews spoke the languages of the nations in which they were born. The apostles preached the wonderful works of God and the multitude heard them in their own language. This was a great miracle! The multitude was amazed and in doubt of what it meant. Others mocked. The apostles now have the undivided attention of the multitude and Peter preaches to them (vs.14-40)

 

Basics of Dispensational Truth

The following notes are taken from handwritten notes in the back of my Bible that I have often used in teaching others about right division.

 

Keys to Bible Study:

1. Believe the scriptures (1Thess. 2:13)

2. Search the scriptures (Acts 17:11)

3. Compare the scriptures (1 Cor. 2:13)

4. Consider the scriptures written by Paul (2 Tim. 2:7)

5. Rightly divide the scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15)

 

God never changes in His person, principles, and promises (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8) but He does change in His dealings with man. All scripture is profitable for us (2 Tim. 3:16) but in order to gain the profit from God’s word that He has placed in it for us, we must study it His way (2 Tim. 2:15). Notice three things in 2 Timothy 2:15:

1. What we are to do - STUDY

2. Why we are to do it - to shew thyself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed 

3. How we are to do it - rightly dividing the word of truth 

 

Note: The modern versions totally mess up this key verse. They change "study" to something like, "do your best" and "rightly dividing" to something like, "properly handling".

 

All the Bible is the word of truth but we must recognize and consistently maintain the divisions that God put in His word if we are going to understand it. What was truth for Israel under the law may not be truth for the Body of Christ under grace. This is the dispensational approach to Bible study.

 

A dispensation (biblical word, 1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2; Col. 1:25) is basically a dealing out, distribution, or dispensing of something. It is an administration. Dispensations are not periods of time. Ages are periods of time but dispensations operate within ages. Each dispensation revealed in scripture is marked by 5 things:

1) Divine revelation (which bring clear changes in God’s dealings with men)

2) Human spokesman (such as Moses for the Law and Paul for the Mystery)

3) Human responsibility to the revelation (testing) 

4) Human failure (every dispensation ends in apostasy except the last one)

5) Divine judgment

 

Dispensations are not "cut and dried" time periods. There is some overlapping in dispensational truth. For example, the dispensation of human government will be in effect until the Kingdom Age. The following outline is an accurate overview of the dispensations revealed in scripture.

1. Innocence (Gen. 1-3)

2. Conscience (Gen. 4-8)

3. Human Government (Gen. 9-11)

4. Promise (Gen. 12-Ex. 19)

5. Law (Ex. 20-Acts)

6. Mystery (Rom. - Phile.)

7. Kingdom (Heb.-Rev.)

 

In the Bible seven is God's number of perfection and completion and eight is the number of new beginnings. I believe there are seven dispensations in human history and the eighth and final dispensation of which there will be no end is the "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Eph. 1:10).

 

The main division in the Bible concerns God's twofold purpose which is implied in the very first verse (Gen. 1:1).

1. Heaven - The Body of Christ was planned before the foundation of the world but was hid in God (Eph. 3:9) and kept secret since the world began (Rom. 16:25) until Christ from heaven revealed it through the apostle Paul. The Body of Christ will reign with Christ in heavenly places throughout the ages to come (Eph. 2:6-7).

2. Earth - Israel as a kingdom of priests ruling over the Gentile nations is the subject of prophecy. The Messianic Kingdom that God will establish on the earth has been spoken of by the prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21).

 

The major theme of the Bible is the King and His Kingdom:

1. OT - promised and prophesied

2. Gospels - proclaimed and rejected

3. Acts - offered and rejected (transition)

4. Pauline epistles - postponed (Body of Christ in spiritual kingdom, Col. 1:13)

5. Hebrew epistles - proclamation resumed

6. Revelation - established

 

 

 

Five Words

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (1 Cor. 14:19)

 

The gift of tongues was for a sign to the unbelieving Jews (1 Cor. 1:22; 14:21-22) during the transition period (from Israel to the Body of Christ) recorded in the book of Acts. After the transition period, and the completion of the word of God, the sign gifts CEASED for this present age (1 Cor. 13:8-13). In 1 Cor. 14 (written during the transition period) the apostle Paul taught that it was pointless to speak in an unknown tongue (a language that the speaker and hearers did not know) in the church if there was nobody present with the gift of interpretation. The purpose of speaking in the local church is to TEACH others in a way they can understand for their edification, exhortation, and comfort (v.3). He said it is better to speak FIVE WORDS that can be understood than 10,000 words in an unknown tongue. What could be taught with just five words? Let’s consider some key doctrines given in biblical statements of just five words. God has an amazing way of saying much with few words. Sadly, in the typical Charismatic church you will hear much "vain and profane babblings" (2 Tim. 2:16) but you will not hear these key doctrines being taught.

 

In the Beginning God Created (Gen. 1:1)

This plain opening statement of the scripture is foundational to everything else. If it is wrong, how can we trust the rest of the Bible? No wonder Satan has always attacked the doctrine of creation! We did not get here by chance and some kind of evolutionary process. Man was created by God and has a purpose. Jesus Christ was a creationist (Mk. 10:6; 13:19) and He knows the truth about the beginning because He was there. He is the Creator! He created the world about 6,000 years ago in six literal days. When He looked at everything He made He said it was very good. Well, there is a lot in this world now that is very bad! What happened?

 

By One Man Sin Entered (Rom. 5:12)

Adam was given dominion on the earth. Satan coveted that dominion and so he appeared as a beautiful serpent in the garden in order to tempt the woman and bring about the fall of man. The woman was deceived but Adam knowingly and willingly disobeyed the clear commandment of God concerning the tree of the knowledge of good an evil. Adam was the representative head of the human race and so when he fell he brought sin and death into the world. He was created in the image of God but all that are born into this world are born in the image of fallen Adam (Gen. 5:3). We are all sinners (Rom. 3:10, 23). The penalty for sin is death and eternal damnation (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:14). How can a sinner be saved?

 

Ye Must Be Born Again (Jn. 3:7)

The Lord Jesus said these words to Nicodemus, a very religious man who was a ruler of the Jews. No man can be saved by the works of his flesh. The Bible teaches that the flesh is corrupt (Eph. 4:22), unprofitable (Jn. 6:63), and that in it dwells no good thing (Rom. 7:18). The carnal mind is enmity with God and cannot please Him (Rom. 8:7-8). Therefore salvation is not by religious reformation but by spiritual regeneration (Titus 3:5). It is not the old man made better but rather a new life from God (Jn. 1:11-13). How is it that a holy and righteous God can put His Spirit in unrighteous sinners and make us new creatures? What is the basis? Sinners MUST be born again and therefore Christ said that He MUST be lifted up on the cross (Jn. 3:14-15).

 

Christ Died for Our Sins (1 Cor. 15:3)

In this passage the apostle Paul defines the gospel that he received by revelation of Jesus Christ (vs.1-4). The gospel of the grace of God is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. The three letter middle word in “Christ died for our sins” is very important! We must know that we are sinners and that Christ died on the cross but most importantly we must believe in our heart that He died FOR our sins! He had no sin but was made to be sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21) that He might die in our place and pay the penalty for our sins!

 

By Grace Ye are Saved (Eph. 2:5)

Saving Grace is the unmerited favor and kindness of God toward sinners by Jesus Christ. Salvation is a free gift because it was purchased in full by the finished work of Christ. In this age of grace, salvation is “no more of works” (Rom. 11:6), “not of works” (Eph. 2:9), and “not by works” (Titus 3:5). The one condition to receiving the gift of salvation is to believe in your heart (Eph. 1:12-13). To try and add one work, no matter what it may be, is to pervert the gospel of Christ!

 

Ye are Complete in Him (Col. 2:10)

The very instant we believe on Christ as our personal Savior the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ (1 Cor. 12:13) and we become one with Him. Through this spiritual baptism we are identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4), and we are seated with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6). His work of salvation for us is complete. Nothing can be added to it. Spiritual growth is the process of learning who we are in Christ and how to live it out in our daily walk. We will be instantly and permanently glorified with Christ when He raptures us to heaven to be with Him (1 Cor. 51-52; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Phil. 3:20-21).

 

Looking for That Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13)

Christ could come at any moment to catch away His church (the word “rapture” comes from a Latin word that means to catch away by force). We shall see Him, be like Him, and be with Him forevermore. This is the consummation of our salvation. It is a done deal (Rom. 8:30), but we are waiting on its fulfillment. In the Bible, hope is not a doubtful thing at all. It is a certain anticipation and expectation of what has been promised. Until death or the rapture we still have the flesh to deal with. How do we walk in victory over the flesh?

 

I am Crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20)

We do not have to strive for victory over our flesh. Christ defeated the flesh for us when He died in our place. The old man being crucified, I am now free to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6-8). The Christian life is about Christ living His life through me!

 

These simple but powerful five word statements will change your life forever if you truly believe them!

 

Living Reality or Empty Dogma?

From time to time on this blog I may share a small excerpt from a book I'm reading that I find to be spiritually edifying. Many of the books in my library are out of print and cannot be found in the average "Christian bookstore." The following quote is from C.H. Mackintosh (1820-1896).

"We are passing through a world of misery, of sin and death and sorrow. We are surrounded by broken hearts and crushed spirits, if we would only look them out. 

Yes; this is the point; if we would only look them out. It is easy for us to close our eyes to such things, to turn away from, to "forget" that there are such things always within reach of us. We can sit in our easy chair, and speculate about truth, doctrines, and the letter of scripture; we can discuss the theories of Christianity, and split hairs about prophecy and dispensational truth, and, all the while, be shamefully failing in the discharge of our grand responsibilities as Christians. We are in imminent danger of forgetting that Christianity is a living reality. It is not a set of dogmas, a number of principles strung together on a thread of systematized divinity, which unconverted people can have at their fingers' ends. Neither is it a set of ordinances to be gone through, in dreary formality, by lifeless, heartless professors. No; it is life—life eternal—life implanted by the Holy Ghost, and expressing itself in those two lovely forms on which we have been dwelling, namely, praise to God and doing good to man.

Such was the life of Jesus when He trod this earth of ours. He lived in the atmosphere of praise; and He went about doing good.

And He is our life, and He is our model on which the life is to be formed. The Christian should be the living expression of Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost. It is not a mere question of leading what is called a religious life, which very often resolves itself into a tiresome round of duties which neither yield "praise" to God nor one atom of " good" to man. There must be life, or it is all perfectly worthless. "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men." Rom. 14:17-18

Beloved christian reader, let us earnestly apply our hearts to the consideration of these great practical truths. Let us seek to be Christians not merely in name but in reality. Let us not be distinguished as the mere vendors of peculiar "views." Oh! how worthless are views! How utterly profitless is discussion! How wearisome are theological hair-splittings! Let us have life, light, and love. These are heavenly, eternal, divine. All else is vanity. How we do long for reality in this world of sham—for deep thinkers and earnest workers in this day of shallow talkers!"