Saturday, December 21, 2024

What Is Right Division?

Right Division

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The following is taken from an old note book, written many years ago.

This is Paul's last writing. He is winding up his affairs. And Timothy is the one to take over and continue the ministry of the dispensation of the mystery. So from the human standpoint alone, we would not expect any trifling, but some very serious things.

In the verse in question, it is not addressed to the student, as so many think, but to the workman. And Timothy was one of Paul's workers.

Study. We have this word in Ephesians 4:3 and it there means endeavoring. It has the idea of putting forth some effort. That is work.

Approved. Has to do with testing, as of metal. The works of believers will be reviewed in judgment and either approved, or disapproved. Some get a reward, and some find their works burned up. In 2 Timothy 3:8 the word reprobate is disapproved. So then all believers are either just or unjust.

Of course Timothy would be used to the LXX and would find the principle of right division in Proverbs 3:5,6. If we acknowledge Him, He will then rightly divide our paths. Even direct has the idea of dividing and right. So we take the right highway on a trip and watch the signs along the way.

There is an example of right division in Luke 4:16-21. The Lord read from the Scriptures and stopped at where we have a comma in our versions. He was practicing right division. If He had read on, He could not have said that these things were being fulfilled there and then. He was reading from Isaiah 61:1,2. The day of vengeance was then in the future and still is. So the Lord practiced right division. Mr. Welch said once that when the Lord sat down, the people must have sat up! And well they could, for here was something new to them, even tho from an old book. That comma has now stretched to about 2,000 years. It probably is the 2 days mentioned in Hosea 6:2. For the vengeance, see Luke 21:24.

All of us practice right division in many areas of our lives, why not do so with the Word?

Read 2 Timothy 2 thru and see if you can find some examples of right division in it.

Notice the use of right division in verses 11-13. There is a difference between living with Him and reigning with Him. You also might read chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians. There are the just and the unjust, believers, but divided as to rewards. And some have no reward at all, and so are saved as by fire. Loss of reward.

In verses 17 & 18, a couple of men have said that the resurrection is past already at that time, but they had divided the Word wrongly.

And in verses 20,21 there is a division of vessels. They should not be mixed or one confused with the other. In other words, do not mix the bread in the garbage pail!

The Lord practiced Right Division; so should we.

Thru the ages there has been much confusion about the way of salvation just because most folks did not know what salvation was. they did not make any distinction between salvation, reward, entering the kingdom, or being a member of the church which is the body of Christ. Examples:

The dying malefactor (Luke 23:39-43). He was not asking about the way of salvation. He already was a believer. See his testimony. He was asking to be remembered in the kingdom.

The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23). This one was asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Now salvation does not come by doing something, neither does it come as an inheritance. Like the malefactor, this man was asking about a place, an inheritance in the kingdom. He was already a believer.

Nicodemus (John 3:1-12). Nicodemus was already a believer, but evidently wanted to know about the kingdom, for the Lord answered the unasked question by saying that for a believer to enter the kingdom, he must be born again or from above.

In the ministry of John. His message was, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. John is not telling them to get saved. He says nothing about salvation. He is preaching to Israel, God's chosen people, those who worshiped at the temple and synagogue and believed in the God of Abraham. All these were to repent for the kingdom of heaven was at hand. No need for a salvation message here.

The ministry of the 12. During the time of the gospels they were to preach a message identical to that of John. We do not find one instance of them preaching to people who need salvation. Peter preached in the house of Cornelius, the Roman Centurion, but the group there were believers already. They were added to the kingdom.

The case of Cornelius. In addition to the above, it was noted by the Christians in Jerusalem that God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life when Peter reported to them. At first that one would say that this was about salvation, but actually they were saying that God had granted to the Gentile believers in the synagogues the same right as the Jews to find a place in the kingdom of heaven. They were grafted in.

The commission of Mark 16. At first glance one would say that these apostles were to go to all the heathen world and proclaim a message of salvation as we think of it. It says that they did obey this command and that the signs followed. But as we said above, we find no instance of them preaching to any but Jews only (except Peter to Cornelius). So the salvation they proclaimed was an entrance into the kingdom. Water baptism was required for this, but never for everlasting life as we find it presented in John's gospel. So we find that ofttimes salvation speaks of entrance into the kingdom. We must watch the context and rightly divide the Scriptures.

These few examples of right division should put the reader on guard to be very careful of what he believes.

Not so many years ago the Bible was not very well known (and is not much better known today), there being mostly hand written copies in the hands of the rich or in some monasteries. Some few were chained to the pulpits in the churches. It was recognized as the Word of God in most quarters, but they had little idea of how to apply it to the present time and its particular problems.

So without any regard to the time, or the people addressed, any verse in the Bible was likely to be quoted and made to apply to the present time. A few exceptions could be mentioned. For instance, Genesis 17: 10, every man child among you shall be circumcised. Even among the several denominations and sects which think they are Jews, we do not know of any who cling to this rite today.

About the first verse that is quoted in evangelistic efforts today is a part of Matthew 1:21, Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His People from their sins. There are about 2 errors made in connection with this passage. His People are the Jews. In chapter 10 He told the disciples not to go to Samaritans or Gentiles, and in verse 6 He says, But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And later in 15:24 He said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then this is not about giving of eternal life, but saving those who were His from their sins. His People had been chosen to be a channel of blessing to the nations. But from the making of the golden calf to Acts 28:28 Israel could not fulfill her mission because of her own sins. So the Lord came to deliver Israel from her sins so she could be a blessing to the nations of the earth.

Matthew is about the King and the kingdom, not the giving of eternal life as in John 3:16. There is nothing in Matthew about Gentile salvation or the Gentiles gaining everlasting life.

A much quoted verse is Matthew 3:2, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent is also the theme of the Lord later, as well as of the 12 and also the 70. And it is always in connection with the kingdom and it being near or at hand. The word repent is not used after Acts 28:28. It is not used in connection with gaining everlasting life. It is not found in John's gospel at all. And now for 1900 years the kingdom has not been offered, at hand, or near. Everlasting life or the church, are the themes for today, not the kingdom.

There is a great deal of preaching today about wrath to come and such passages as Matthew 3:7,10,12; S:22,29,30 and many others are quoted to prove it. But again, we must remember that Matthew is writing about the kingdom, not the church. With the end times of the kingdom there is wrath promised, such as the bowls of wrath in the Revelation which are poured out on the kingdom of the beast. Even Job knew that in the last days there would be wrath (Job 14:13) and prays that God will hide him in hell till the wrath is over. The word wrath is used in the prison epistles as to individuals, but the church does not look for a day of wrath to come.

The Magna Charta of the kingdom of heaven is the sermon on the mount, which is found in Matthew 5,6,7. It is best to leave it to the kingdom of heaven and not to try to apply it to the church. Read it slowly and note all the conditions and promises. This is a kingdom which will be here on the earth and ruled over by a King who is coming down from heaven some day. His capital will be Jerusalem. He will be the King of the Jews, and much more. He will rule over all the nations of the earth with a rod of iron. Read Psalms 2 in this connection. This Jerusalem will have a city dump (Isaiah 66:24) just as Jerusalem in the Lord's time had its Gehenna or hell as mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount. It was a place where the refuse of the city was burned, along with dead animals and the bodies of executed criminals. Hence the warnings in this sermon about breaking the law and being cast into the city dump after execution.

But back to the Sermon on the Mount. If you were to give and lend to just anybody today as taught in this sermon, you would soon be bankrupt. This practice will not work in the society we find ourselves in today. But in a Jewish community in the kingdom, these things can and will be practiced.

However, in general, you will find a lot of good advice in this sermon which might be applied to some of our actions today.

In this connection, we must note that the Lord did His works and miracles in fulfillment of prophecy. This was a sign to His people, Israel. They should have recognized Him as their Messiah without having to be told. But in their blindness and unbelief, they missed the day of their visitation. Their Messiah has come and gone and they knew it not.

In Matthew 8:11 we are told that many shall come from the east and the west and sit down with the fathers in the kingdom of heaven. This is on the earth. The fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob never had any promise of going to heaven.

Matthew 8:17 is often quoted out of context. It does not apply to us Gentiles today, nor ever to the church. Esaias was a prophet to the Jews, not to the Gentiles. And to the Jews he says, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Many a person has taken the promises for Israel to himself, only to be bitterly disappointed. Right division avoids this.

In Matthew 9:35, as in many other places, it says that the Lord went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom (not the church), and in connection with that gospel were healings of all kinds as well as casting out demons. This was a foretaste of the age to come. And note that those who would turn back after coming into contact with this great kingdom message and the miracles could never find a place of repentance. It is like Esau who could not undo what he had done. But this is kingdom truth.

It is interesting to see in chapter 10 of Matthew the equipping of the 12 to go out and preach. They were to make no provision whatsoever for the journey, but were simply to preach the kingdom and at the same time heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils. Israel is not doing that today!

There are times when men make fools of themselves by failing to obey the Word in the matter of right division. For example, take Matthew 10:18-20. There the 12 are told that in certain circumstances they are to take no that of what they shall say, but that the Spirit will speak thru them. That was for the 12 and under certain circumstances. For a lazy preacher or teacher to try to do that today for his regular service is going to end in disaster. His mouth is very likely to utter foolishness. There is a place for study and work in the ministry.

He that endureth to the end shall be saved. Matthew 10:22. How often we hear this quoted by those who think you can be saved one moment and lost the next. Of course they mean having life and not having life. Salvation is a different matter. Of course the supposition is that one must endure to the end of his life. But that is not the subject. The tribulation is in view. That is for the Jews, the time of Jacob's trouble. There is no indication that a single Gentile will take part in this great tribulation. But the Jew that endures to the end of the tribulation shall be saved.

Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28. Here is a fearsome verse in the hands of those who do not know right division. The kingdom is in view here. Before it comes the tribulation. In this tribulation many will be killed (not destroyed) and they will have a life in resurrection. So their life is not killed. But in the kingdom times, the ungodly will be executed and thrown into the city dump, Gehenna or hell, as it is called here. Those will have no resurrection, so then both body and soul (life) will be destroyed. No hope of a resurrection. See the very last verse of Isaiah. Since no one has the hope of the kingdom and this particular resurrection today, we should seek what is truth for us.

Verses 37-39 of Matthew 10 should not be made to mean that one should love his family less, but that one should love the Lord more. Verse 39 tells us that in the kingdom administration those who find their lives shall lose them. If a man lives his life to suit himself, like the man who buried his talent so as not to be bothered with it, he will get what he wanted; but life in the kingdom will be denied him. That has to do with reward and inheritance. But the man, who forgets himself and his desires in order to serve the Lord, will find life, that is, a reward in the kingdom. Probably there is a parallel to this today.

He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (John the Baptist). Matthew 11:11. This verse has been greatly misunderstood. Note in the following verses that prophets and the law were until John. Also that from the days of John the kingdom suffered violence. So John must indeed be included in the kingdom. Even the law made it plain that the husbandman should partake of the fruits of his labors. To exclude John from the kingdom would violate all the rules. But Jesus of Nazareth was that by the rulers to be least of all in the kingdom. But He was greater than John. Simple, isn't it?

Acts 6-9In Ac 6:3 there was an appointment of 7 men to take over the business of distribution of goods and food to the poor. Only Stephen and Philip are heard of again. Tradition says that these 7 men were deacons, but the word deacon is not used in Acts.

In these early days of the Pentecostal administration, we must rightly distinguish between temple and synagogue. The temple was a place of worship. The synagogue was a place of instruction from the Scriptures and also a court to settle disputes and keep heresy out. Today, God has not designated any place for worship. The temple is gone. Our Lord said that worship should be in spirit and in truth, not in some building and with rituals and a priesthood. Worship is a scarce word in the epistles to us Gentiles. Maybe we should look into this.

Acts 7:2-53 contains Stephen's sermon. It is a history of the nation of Israel from Abraham up to the time they crucified their Messiah and were now rejecting the testimony concerning Him. It is a sermon made up of condemnation and with no offer of mercy or salvation. This testimony to the truth of them and their fathers cost Stephen his life.

But remember this, thus far there is nothing said about Gentile believers among all these thousands in Jerusalem who had taken to the Way.

Chapter 8 tells us that Saul was consenting to the death of Stephen. In 7:58 we are told that he took care of the garments of those who stoned Stephen. Again we must say that this was strictly a Jewish affair, no Gentiles being involved; no, not even the Roman guard. That a church began at Pentecost made up of Jews and Gentiles is pare fiction, a myth.

Saul began persecuting the Christian Jews. Thus came about the dispersion of the believers from Jerusalem. But the apostles remained.

Acts 8:26-39 tells of Philip preaching to a man from Ethiopia, a eunuch and a man of authority in the court of the queen. Again we must read carefully and use our right division. It does not say that this eunuch was an Ethiopian. He does have the prophecy of Isaiah. Certainly then, he was a Jew, a slave and a man of authority like Daniel was in Babylon and later in Medo-Persia. This was no Gentile.

Saul was a devout Jew, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, a member of the Sanhedrin, a believer in the Jehovah of Israel and looked for the coming Messiah. There is no doubt about his having life as we find it offered in John 3:16 and as Peter speaks of such in Acts 10:43. But Saul had not accepted the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was the King long looked for. So Saul could have no part in the first resurrection nor enter into the kingdom. So Saul had life, but was not saved. Hence the necessity of his experience on the road to Damascus.

Do not make a mistake here. Saul was learning about the King and the kingdom, not the church. And immediately Saul began to preach what he had seen Stephen and the other apostles preaching (Acts 26:16). If at this time Saul proclaimed the dispensation of the mystery, then the 12 were preaching the same. Come now, just how do you read it?

Acts 10-13

Acts 10 marks one of the important turning points in history. The date was about 38, or 9 years after Pentecost in chapter 2. No Gentiles had any part in the happenings at Pentecost. The apostles were still preaching Christ as the King of the Jews. Even as late as Acts 11:19 we are told that upon the scattering abroad because of the persecution and death of Stephen, they preached the Word unto none but unto the Jews only. So Peter was the first to preach a message unto Gentile believers.

This is brought out in Acts 15:7 where Peter declares that God made a choice of him to proclaim the gospel to Gentiles. James takes it up in verse 14 and tells how that in the house of Cornelius the gospel was first preached to Gentiles.

Now read chapter 10 very carefully and see how that God had to prepare Peter to go and speak to a Gentile believer. Peter had never done such a thing before. Note also in verse 43 that the word whosoever is used. This is very significant.

Nothing more is said of any of the 12 ever going to Gentiles with a gospel after this one event in Acts 10. After Acts is over and the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, then John writes his gospel and it is to Gentiles.

About 8 years after the events of Acts 10, we find Paul in Antioch in Pisidia along with Barnabas. He there turns from the Jews to the Gentile believers and preaches to them the kingdom.

There is a reason why that Peter and then Paul preached to Gentiles during Acts. It was something out of time. This commission of preaching to the Gentile nations was not to be done by the 12 till the time of the millennium as given in Matthew 28:18-20. But it had been foretold, and Paul reviews the Scriptures about it in Romans 11. It was done to provoke Israel to jealousy so they would bear fruit. When there was a rejection of the Messiah in Jerusalem and Judea, Peter went to the Gentiles. When Israel outside the land rejected, then Paul turned to the Gentiles. This was no mystery. Moses had foretold it. So this is not the beginning of the mystery.

No one yet has found the church of the dispensation of the mystery in Acts 9,10 or 13. The whole time of Acts is still a part of the 70 weeks (490 years) reckoned from the dedication of the temple in 405 B.C. The salvation of God was never sent to the Gentiles till Ac 28:28. Up till that time, salvation was still of the Jews John 4:22). The Jew was first (Romans 2:9,10). The kingdom was in view (Acts 1:6).

Chapter 11 of Acts shows plainly that Peter had done something very much out of the ordinary. He was called in question before the rest of the apostles. He had a hard time explaining why he spoke to Gentiles about the kingdom of God. But he had witnesses who said that the Holy Ghost came there as it had at the first at Pentecost, and so the apostles were reconciled to the idea of Gentiles coming into the hope and blessings of the kingdom by grace.

Paul was told in his Damascus vision that he would be sent far hence unto the Gentiles (Acts 22:21). So his efforts failed in both Damascus and Jerusalem.

Acts 13-15

Perhaps many have not noticed the great similarity between the experience of Peter in Acts 10 and that of Paul in Acts 13. In each instance the Jews were not believing and bearing fruit, as an olive tree should. Both had a heavenly vision to prod them on to minister to Gentiles. In each instance Gentile believers received gifts of the Spirit which proved that they had entered into the blessings of the kingdom. The reader may find other likenesses in these incidents.

Right division immediately places these events in their rightful places. The church of the dispensation of the mystery is not in evidence in either. The Jew is first in each instance and there is no mystery, Scripture being quoted to prove that this had been prophesied. The reader must beware of any claims made for any church beginning at any time before Israel is set aside and Lo-Ammi.

That Paul and Barnabas should turn to the Gentile believers in Acts 13:46 is not in any way unique. They went to the Synagogue at the first town they visited after this. Both Jews and Gentiles believed. And many times after that the same procedure was done over and over. And when called to account for these actions at the council in Acts 15, Peter came to their defense and said that he had done it first.

Another thing that must be noted in these chapters in Acts was the fact that Paul was in no way going out to evangelize the heathen who had no contact with the good news. He went only to Synagogues or the equivalent (as at Philippi) and only incidentally did he ever come into contact with raw heathen. When he did so, he preached to them God as Creator, and not his gospel of the grace of God. Search and see.

Now let us look at Acts 15 for a while. This chapter has been interpreted in a great variety of ways. A council is called at Jerusalem and Paul appears before it to defend himself against certain charges. He was not charged with beginning the church of the dispensation of the mystery. No doctrinal question is involved. Paul has been preaching the same gospel he was told to preach in the beginning and it is the same gospel that the 12 had been preaching. But the difference was not in the doctrine preached, but to whom they preached. This was the whole problem.

Just once Peter had preached to Gentiles. He faced the council (Acts 11) and was exonerated of any blame for obeying God and the vision that was given. Now Paul and Barnabas have been preaching the same gospel of the kingdom to Gentiles again. What have they to say for themselves?

After they had rehearsed what wonders God had done among the Gentile believers in the Synagogues, and Peter reminded them that he had once done the same thing, the right hand of fellowship was given to Paul and Barnabas and they were encouraged to proceed in their work among the Gentile believers.

There was one catch in this, however. There were 4 things they were to tell the Gentile believers. They were to abstain from pollution of idols, fornication, things strangled, and from blood.

Now if the church began at Acts 13, then these things should be highly stressed in the church today!

Acts 15 & 16

When Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles in the Synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia, and preached to them the coming King and kingdom, they started something. It was not long till news reached Jerusalem and the apostles there that Paul and Barnabas were offering the kingdom to Gentiles on the basis of grace and not according to the law. When we say Gentiles here, we mean the Gentile believers who attended the Synagogue and were not yet circumcised as the law demanded. So there was uproar in Jerusalem.

The council that met later in Jerusalem was to settle this difficulty and dispute once for all. It is recorded in Acts 15.

Now if the church began at Acts 13 or even any point earlier, the decision of the council would be of importance to it. We must keep in mind that there were no doctrinal differences in this council. It was whether or not Paul and Barnabas were justified in offering the kingdom to Gentiles on the basis of grace rather than law.

The decision was that Paul and Barnabas were doing the will of God, even as did Peter when he preached the kingdom to Gentiles in Cornelius' house.

Now mark this: the Gentile believers were not obligated to keep any of the law in any way. They need not be circumcised, keep any of the feasts (Passover or Lord's supper, Feast of Tabernacles, and the like. Not even Pentecost), nor was there any provision for their worship except that they do as usual, go to the Synagogue each Sabbath (not Sunday) and hear Moses and the prophets.

But, they were to observe 4 things which would keep them from being an offense to the Jews with whom they would associate at the Synagogue;

1. Abstain from pollution of idols

2. Abstain from fornication

3. Abstain from things strangled

4. Abstain from (eating) blood.

Now if the church did begin at Acts 13, as many claim, these 4 things should first of all be proclaimed in such assemblies. Do they do it?

A halfway obedience in these things is like unto Saul and his disobedience in the case of the Amalekites and king Agag. In fact, a halfway obedience may be worse than no obedience at all. Too few are willing to go all the way with God. If we are going to rightly divide the Word of truth, let us do it right, and not according to our own wishes and taste. Just as many at that time were troubling the church with such questions, even so today there are those who trouble the church with their compromise and disobedience to the will of God.

In Acts 16 we have the story of the Roman jailer. Right division is in order. This is a time when Paul preached neither the kingdom gospel nor the dispensation of the mystery. This man, unlike Cornelius, had heard nothing of the true faith. In verse 31 we are not warranted in pushing the word save any further than preserve. The jailer was much interested in preserving his own skin and that of his family. He was preserved, as also his family. But there was also much more and there was great rejoicing.

Acts 17

Acts 17 is a chapter that calls for right division, if any do. Here Paul had another experience with unbelieving Gentiles, as he did in the chapter before at Philippi. So we must watch the context as we proceed with the study.

After Philippi, the first stop that is recorded is at Thessalonica. There Paul spoke in the synagogue of the Jews 3 Sabbaths, using the Scriptures. Not yet had he received the gospel of the dispensation of the mystery, for it could not have been preached from the Scriptures that they had. The mystery was something that had been hid in God and from ages and generations until made known to Paul.

Paul then went to Berea and likewise there he preached in the synagogue of the Jews. Again we can see that it was evident that he was not telling them about the mystery, for they looked up his subject in the Scriptures daily to see if he were preaching them the truth. The mystery could not be checked by their copies of the Scriptures.

Now there are a few highlights that we should not miss in connection with Thessalonica and Berea. In both instances Paul went to the synagogues of the Jews. That is final proof that his turning to the Gentiles in chapter 13 was only local and for those few days. Until the end of Acts, the Jew was first in the gospel Paul preached. In every city he went, he attended the synagogue on the Sabbaths until he left or was thrown out. In the two cities we are now studying he went to the synagogues, but it also mentions the fact that some Greeks (Gentiles) also believed. So Paul's preaching was to the Jew first, and not to the Jew only.

Paul's hearers understood enough of his message that they understood that he preached another King than Caesar (v 7). This makes it plain that he was not yet preaching Christ as Head of the church.

Then Paul went to Athens. Again he went to the synagogue. This was on the Sabbaths. He also met in the market with Jews and Gentiles from the synagogue. This was on the other days of the week. And he was teaching them of the kingdom of God.

While in this market place he also met with some of the philosophers of the day. And they had some questions to ask. These were, we must remember, unbelieving Gentiles, worshipers of idols and knew very little of the Jewish religion.

These philosophers heard two things from Paul which they on the main, could not accept. First they heard of a resurrection that had happened some years before. Secondly they heard that the One Who was resurrected would soon come and judge the nations of the world. Note that Paul spoke to these unbelieving Gentiles about judgment, not the gospel of the grace of God. Why?

Before there could be blessing and hope connected with the coming kingdom, there must first of all be the recognition of a great God and Creator. This Paul proclaimed in every instance he met with raw heathen. And so it was here.

And even today, the salvation of Ephesians 2:8-10 must be gotten via John 3:16. There is a parallel.

Acts 18 & 19

When we come to chapter 18 of Acts we find Paul still going to the Synagogue every Sabbath. And his audience is made up of Jews and Greeks (Gentiles).

Note the particular emphasis upon the word persuade. This word is never used in connection with the preaching of the dispensation of the mystery. To persuade one is to give him an argument. The argument must be based on facts that are known to both parties. So in preaching the kingdom during Acts, Paul and the 12 argued from the Scriptures that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah of Israel. Now that is exactly what Paul was doing here at Corinth in the presence of Silas and Timothy (v 5).

Again when they opposed and blasphemed, he said that he would turn to the Gentiles, just as he had said in Acts 13:46 in Antioch. If his turning to the Gentiles at Antioch was the end of the kingdom and the beginning of the mystery, why should he repeat it here in Corinth? But this statement made here was not final. You do not find that final statement till you come to the last chapter of Acts.

Now you will notice in verse 13 that a charge was made that Paul was preaching a worship of God contrary to the Jewish law. Do we need to remind you that after Acts, when Paul was proclaiming the mystery, that no such charges were ever brat against him? There is no record that Paul ever set foot in a Synagogue after he began to tell about the mystery. In present times, who knowing the mystery, has any business going into so-called churches who profess to be preaching the kingdom?

Now notice verse 18. Paul has taken a vow and shaved his head. Can you find anything in the mystery that would allow such procedure? Even tho Paul preached the gospel of the grace of God to Gentiles during Acts, yet here is the proof that he as a Jew was still under the law. Paul the Jew could not enjoy the liberty of the gospel of grace that he pro~ claimed to Gentiles. That is because the church of the dispensation of the mystery had not yet been revealed to Paul or anybody else.

In verse 21 Paul makes it known that he must by all means attend the feast at Jerusalem. Again this shows that he was still under the law and that the church had not yet come into being. Contrast this with Colossians 2:16 where he puts away the rituals of the Jews and warns against them.

In this same chapter we find Apollos preaching according to the baptism of John, that is, telling his hearers to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Aquila and Priscilla took him home with them and told him how that the King had both come and gone, and the kingdom was not yet. When he was thus instructed, he was powerful in preaching that Jesus was Christ (the Messiah), not the Head of the church. So Apollos did not preach the mystery.

In chapter 19 Paul found some disciples that like Apollos had heard only the baptism of John. They did not know of the baptism of the Holy Ghost or the outpouring of power from on high. Paul laid hands on them and they received the power. But no such power is mentioned with the mystery.

Acts 19 & 20

In Acts 19:21, Paul firmly resolved to make a last visit thru Macedonia and Achaia and then visit Jerusalem. Then he said, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."

Some folks may be a little perplexed by the note in the Companion Bible on this verse, which states that this is the last that Paul proclaims the kingdom. This would put the dispensational frontier at Acts 19. But remember that Dr. Bullinger's old notes were used in compiling this portion and this does not represent his later knowledge of the truth. You only have to read his book, Foundations of Dispensational Truth, to see the advance he had made.

We mention this especially due to the fact that when Paul finally reached Rome, he spent a whole day with the Jewish leaders to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening (Acts 28:23). He expounded their Scriptures to them. If he were proclaiming the mystery, then he would have had no Scriptures to expound it, for it was hid from ages and generations. The theme of Moses and the prophets was the coming King and kingdom, and that was what Paul preached till the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles, which happened on that very day. Paul never had any occasion to go to Jerusalem after he received the revelation of the dispensation of the mystery. It was concerning Gentiles, not Jews.

Now take notice of 20:7 in Acts. This is on the first of the weeks (day is not in the Greek) from which the count of 7 weeks was made till Pentecost. So Paul observed the Passover at Troas (Troy) and then managed to get to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost, 50 days later. And this first of the weeks was the time Paul had appointed for the bringing in of gifts for the poor saints at Jerusalem. And these poor saints were those who were waiting for the kingdom. They knew nothing of the church of the mystery.

Paul preached that night at Troas fill midnight, and Eutichus fell asleep and fell out of the window. Eutichus was revived and Paul talked yet till break of day. The fact that Paul still had the power from on high and brat the dead to life proves again that this was under kingdom administration with its gifts of the Spirit.

Now since the church of the dispensation of the mystery does not observe Sabbaths, holidays, feasts, and any other rituals and ceremonies of the law, it would be strange that if Paul was by this time proclaiming the mystery, that he should observe Pentecost, a Jewish thanksgiving feast. Such facts as this are easily overlooked by those who refuse to rightly divide the Word of truth.

Acts 20:17. What elders of what church? Did Paul ever get to see these Ephesians again? Note in verse 24 that he desires to continue to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Peter began this gospel in Acts 10. It was a good news that Gentile believers could partake or be grafted into Israel's dispensational blessings and privileges. This has nothing to do with the dispensation of the mystery.

Acts 21

The title of this chapter might be, "From Ephesus to Jerusalem." But some unbelievers have called it, "Paul's Blunder." They err not knowing the Word.

In verse 13 Paul makes his decision clear that he is going to Jerusalem. That this decision was right is evidenced by the words of the Lord to him in 23:11, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. These words are of far more import than the prattlings of some over wise theologians. It pays to study the Scriptures carefully.

When Paul was come to Jerusalem, he met with the elders of the church, some of the same men who had been at the council there about 7 years before (See Acts 15 and Galatians 2). And note how that they remember the decision about the Gentiles that believed, As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication (verse 25).

But a lie had been spread about Paul. That lie persists even yet today in some circles. Up to this time Paul had been subject to the law of Moses, and had spoken well of the law, e.g. Romans 3:31; 7:12-16. It was very necessary that Paul should uphold the law, for law was a part of the kingdom which he was proclaiming in those days.

But the lie that was being spread was this, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe (Christians); and they all are zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. You will note that they were not telling that Paul had been preaching the dispensation of the mystery, as they say today, for those people had not yet heard of it. But Paul's gospel, the gospel of the grace of God, had been distorted till they had it that it was to Jews instead of Gentiles. Now it was true that he taught the Gentiles not to observe Moses, and to that the council in Jerusalem had agreed. But at that time there had been no accusation that he had said this to the Jewish believers.

So the elders at Jerusalem advise Paul to go to the temple with some others, making a vow and going thru the ceremonies at the temple to show that the stories told about him were false, that he was still subject to the law.

Since Paul was preaching the kingdom all this time from Acts 13 to both Jewish and Gentile believers, and being a Jew was still subject to the law, he found no objection at all to this proposal and he proceeded to do it. Not knowing the facts, many of the modern critics say that Paul was all wrong.

Unless one understands that Paul was still preaching the hope of Israel, for which he was in chains about 3 years later (Acts 28:20), the meaning of this chapter is lost. Like the thousands of Jews of that day, so now, men will rather blame Paul and find fault than to believe what the Word says.

Acts 22-28

It is patent that Paul was not yet preaching the dispensation of the mystery in chapter 21, for he was in the temple when arrested. If he knew the mystery, he would not be found worshiping in the temple, but rather worshiping in spirit and in truth (John 4:23; Philippians 3:3). There is no record that Paul ever went into a synagogue or the temple after he received the revelation of the mystery.

Note that in his defense in chapter 22 he speaks in the Hebrew tongue. He has not yet left Judaism nor its language. It is well to read carefully this defense Paul made and note especially the very last word he said. To orthodox Jews, Paul's preaching the kingdom to Gentiles was a great crime. They would listen no farther.

Notice in chapter 23, verse 11, that the Lord stands by Paul and cheers him up. It is evident that Paul had made no mistake in going back to Jerusalem, and also he is going to get to go to Rome, a thing which he had desired to do. Paul is not making any mistakes here, as some charge.

Chapter 24 tells us that Paul was in prison at Caesarea for 2 years.

Finally in chapter 25, Paul appeals to Caesar. The trip to Rome will not be delayed much longer.

In chapter 26, Paul speaks before Agrippa. He divides his Acts ministry into 2 parts;

1. He was to preach what he had seen (Acts 7).

2. He was to preach what the Lord would later reveal unto him (Acts 22:17).

And Paul claimed that he had been faithful in this ministry; that he had preached both these messages. It takes very little searching to see that Paul first preached to Jews only and the subject was the kingdom, the same as the 12 preached. His second message was also concerning the kingdom, but it was proclaimed to Gentiles. So both messages were about the kingdom and coming King. But the difference between them was just this; the Jews were to stay put under the law, and the Gentile believers were not to observe the law, but walk by grace. This is what brat up the great dispute at the council in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 15. Paul's grace gospel of the kingdom to Gentiles was approved by the council. But what sect or denomination today abides by that decision? Name just one if you can!

As in Romans, Paul in chapter 28 goes to the Jews first. There is still a fleshly distinction between Jew and Gentile which has never been found in the church of the dispensation of the mystery.

Paul's testimony still was, I have committed nothing against the People (Israel), or customs of our fathers (Acts 28:17). There is no possibility that he had preached the church up to this time, or he could not have made this statement.

Then in verse 20 he states that he is bound with a chain, not for the mystery, but for the hope of Israel. Now what was the hope of Israel? Was it to be blest with all spiritual blessings in the highest heavens? Were they all to be joint-heirs and members without any rulers or distinctions? And is Paul about to proclaim to them the mystery?

Acts 28:28

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

Up to the time of the tower of Babel and the call of Abram from Ur of the Chaldees, there were just nations, or Gentiles as later called. They had the knowledge of God, but exchanged it for the lie of Satan and were given up. This was close to a 2,000 year period. Thru Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob there came a chosen people, Israel, to be a channel of blessing and to convert these nations again to the true God of heaven. After almost 2,000 years Israel failed and rejected their Messiah here at Acts 28:28. Salvation had been of the Jews (John 4:22).

But here at Acts 28:28 the salvation of God is no longer of the Jews. The salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles. The Jewish leaders who listened to Paul would have no doubt as to what was meant by Gentiles in this context. They were the Gentiles who attended the Synagogues and believed on Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah of Israel.

The salvation of Israel could be summed up in a Person, their Messiah, and their relationship to Him, the King of Israel. Also we can say that the salvation of Israel was to culminate in a grand and glorious kingdom in the which they would finally be able to evangelize the nations and be that channel of blessing that God intended them to be.

In a nutshell that gives us some idea of what the salvation of God was in relation to the nation of Israel. But when the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles, just what would it be? Does it mean that the promises are taken from the Jew and given to the Gentile? Does it mean that the law is now given to Gentiles, to whom it never before applied? Does it mean that the ritualistic services, the offerings and the like were now transferred to the Gentiles? And finally, does it mean that the New Covenant which has been made with the house of Judah and the house of Israel (Jeremiah 31:31) was now for the Gentiles, and the Jews forever cast off?

Even tho the Gentiles who had been far off in relation to all these things were made nigh by the blood of Christ, they were forever aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise (Ephesians 2:11-13).

During Acts, Gentile believers walked by grace, not by the law (Romans 2:14). That Gentiles today do not observe Sabbaths (Colossians 2:16) is proof that the law was not transferred to the Gentiles.

The rituals and ordinances of the Jews were set aside with that Nation and now the church does not have part in such observances (Colossians 2:16-23).

There is not the slightest evidence that the New Covenant has ever been in operation or valid yet. The very nature of it makes it mandatory that it be in force in resurrection of the People, Israel. It is strictly for the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Much of Christendom has tried to steal the sole property of the Jews and so out of that has come the confusion we see today. Christendom never learned right division, and what that salvation is.

Conclusion - Questions

Now the reader can go back over the lesson and maybe get some clues to the answers to the following questions.

1. Why did the apostles never make any attempt to go out and teach all nations? Matthew 28:19.

2. Why did the apostles never baptize in the triune name as commanded? Matthew 28:19.

3. There was a commission in Matthew 16:15-18. Why is it indicated that they finished this work? Why is it not going on yet today? Verse 20.

4. Why is it that the 12 never went out to any heathen unbelievers and teach them, but stuck with the synagogues and the temple?

5. Paul had a vision in the temple and was told that he was to go far hence unto the Gentiles. Why was it that he never sought to establish a church except in a synagogue or the equivalent?

6. If Paul was to be an apostle to the nations, why did he never visit the teeming millions in India and China? Or the vast colonies of North Africa? Or Britain and other parts of Europe besides Italy and Greece? What Gentiles were to be in his ministry?

7. And that brings up the question; Who were these Gentiles mentioned in Acts 28:28? All of them?

8. In view of the great commission of Matthew 28:19, why did Peter have to answer to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem for going into the house of a Gentile?

9. Paul grafted a great number of Gentiles into the hope of Israel by his ministry. But why was it that every one of these was already a believer and attending the Jewish Synagogue?

10. Why did not Paul try to establish a church on Malta while he was there?

11. Asia, where Paul labored, is not much more than ½ the size of Texas. Why did he visit so little of it? Why confine his ministry there?

12. Israel were chosen in Abraham to be a blessing to the nations. Have they been so since Acts? Or were they so before Acts? Why?

13. Is there any indication that the church was to take the place of Israel in evangelizing the whole earth, and all the nations in it?

14. What is the commission of the church, if any?

15. As an individual, what can I do today that will be of any help or benefit to God's plan and purpose of the ages?

16. Where was the church established in Philippi; at the riverside, in Lydia's house, or in the town jail? Be careful with this one.

17. Why did not the apostles and Paul strike out against slavery, the corrupt government of Rome, and the moral degeneracy of their day?

18. Has God ever established or even approved any place of worship outside of the tabernacle and the temple of the Jews?

19. Can any part or the whole of organized Christendom today justify its existence by the Word?

20. Does the Word even suggest any apostolic succession besides that indicated in 2 Timothy 2:2?

21. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Have you heard the mystery? Do you believe what you heard? Is Christ your Head?

Did you know that The Great Mystery or Secret was hidden in God from Ages and Generations until it was first revealed to the Apostle Paul?  Ephesians 3:9 states "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:" Click Mystery Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

1. In John 16:12,13 we read, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth . Does this refer to the administration of the mystery?

In Eph 3:1-4 the apostle Paul makes it clear that it was by a special administration of the grace of God that he was the sole recipient of the gospel of the mystery which he might give to the Gentiles. Down in verse 8 he speaks of himself as less than the least of all saints, but that he should make known the administration of the mystery. The 12 had a part in the administration of promise. They are to sit with Christ in the millennium and judge the nations of the earth and evangelize them. The Church of the mystery has no such mission. The 12 have their names written in the foundations of the New Jerusalem which is to be here on the earth. There were things that the 12 could not bear to hear at that time, but which had reference to further truth in the administration of promise. There was a perfection to be attained in that administration as well as in the other. They were to be given all the truth that they would need to proclaim the coming of the King and His kingdom during the period of the Acts.

2. Some claim that the term Israel refers to the 10 tribes and that Jew refers to Judah (with Benjamin and Levi). Is this true?

The Word of God makes no such distinctions. This is another example of men bending the truth to fit the lie. The 10 tribes were in Persia at the time of Esther, yet in that book they are called Jews 6 times. Our Lord came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, according to His own words. But some would have you believe that the 10 tribes were in Ireland at that time. Did the Lord go to Ireland seeking them? Paul said he was a Jew (Acts 22:3) yet he was of the tribe of Benjamin. Our Lord Himself was a Jew (John 4:9) while Nathaniel called Him the King of Israel (John 1:49). If you use the concordance, you will find many more examples.

3. I still have a little difficulty about the deity of Christ. Where does He come out and say that He was God?

May I ask, Where did the Lord ever come out and say that He was the Messiah of Israel? The signs and the testimony were sufficient and those who could read the OT and see the signs had all the testimony they needed. It is the same with the deity of Christ. Every attribute of God is also attributed to Him. So where is the difficulty? There is no lack of proof, but there is a great lack of belief. That was also Israel's trouble. As for Scripture references look at John 1:18, John 5:18-27, John 8:23-24, John 10:30-38, John 20:28, Eph 3:9 and there are many others.

4. If people do not really die, then why did the Lord say, Because I live, ye shall live also (John 14:19)?

It was not God that said, Ye shall not surely die, but Satan (Gen 3:4). All in Adam do die. Man's only hope for survival is in resurrection. All in Christ will be made alive. He is the first fruits of them that slept. No hope is given for those outside of Christ.

5. Does the Holy Spirit indwell the believer of this age, those in the administration of the mystery? If so, why?

 

Yes. The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit (new nature within), that we are the children of God. Although found in Romans 8:16 this statement is undispensational, truth for all time. Verse 9 tells us that if we do not have the spirit, the new nature, we are none of His. And verse 11 tells us that there is a quickening here and now in our bodies, in our lives, that comes from this indwelling spirit. So it is this indwelling Spirit that seals the believer (Eph 1:13) and it is this indwelling Spirit that can be grieved (Eph 4:30). It is by this indwelling Spirit that God can make The Church, the temple, which is the body of Christ, His habitation (Eph 2:22). The vain and foolish philosophies of the Gnostics of course would have no place for this doctrine.

6. What is this mystery in Romans 16:25 which had been hid since the ages began?

This is not the mystery that had been hid in God from ages and generations which you will find in Colossians and Ephesians. The context of this verse reveals that it is the mystery of Christ which Paul is preaching to the Romans. The mystery of Christ began with the creation in Gen 1:1 of which we find later He is the Creator. Eph 3:3-5 tells of the mystery of Christ. It was known to the sons of men in past ages. But not as fully as when Paul finishes the Word of God, the canon of Scripture, showing Christ to be Head of The Church which is His body. Romans 16:26 tells that this mystery of Christ is manifested by the Scriptures of the prophets. Now the prophets of Eph 4:11 had not written Scriptures at this time of writing. A part of the mystery of Christ is well set forth in Isaiah 53. In fact all the Scriptures speak of Him and further reveal the mystery concerning Him. And in Romans, Christ is brought out as a federal head in contrast to Adam, showing that by Adam came sin and death, but the hope of resurrection by Jesus Christ. So Romans 16:25 tells nothing about the great secret or mystery which had been hid from ages and generations in God that the Salvation of God is now sent to the Gentiles.

7. What is the gospel of the grace of God in Acts 20:24?

It is the gospel of the uncircumcision that we find mentioned in Acts 15 and also in Gal 2:7. It is the good news that the Gentiles could become a part of the congregation of Israel and partake of their blessings (Romans 15:27) without being under the law. So in that early church the Jew walked by law, the Gentile by grace.

8. What gospel must one preach today lest he be accursed (Gal 1:9)?

No one can be accursed today for preaching any so-called gospel. For one to be accursed, he had to be subject to the law. Israel and the law are set aside today and so no one has been accursed for about 1900 years. Where there is no law, no sin can be imputed. We are under grace today.

9. Why at the end of the prophecy of Jonah does it speak of over 120,000 children and then mention much cattle? What can be the connection?

God definitely said by the mouth of Jonah that He was going to destroy Nineveh in 40 days. There were no conditions or if's about it. But the people, including the king, believed God and they repented. So God in mercy and kindness did not do what He said He was going to do. No one can find fault with a judge that will excuse one at the bar thru mercy. We have 2 other instances of like doing by the Almighty. Adam did not die the day he ate of the fruit, and God did not destroy Israel and make a nation from Moses and his family as He said He would. The sentence was lifted in mercy each time. But there is something there to connect the children and the cattle. In Ecc 3:19,20 we see that in dying there is no difference between man and beast, and they go to the same place. But we also find in Deut 8:3 that even though man was barred from the tree of life, he can live by faith, by believing what God has said. These children were not yet old enough to believe unto life, so like the cattle they would have no resurrection.

10. What does repentance have to do with salvation? What is it?

According to the usage of the word, it means a change of mind, and that for the better. We cannot read any more than that into the word. It does not occur in John's gospel which is the great salvation book for the human race today. But it is obvious that if a man believes, he has changed his mind from unbelief. However, the word repentance is used much more in the case of those who belong to God and rarely of those who do not believe. It was Israel that was called to repent for the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Today this word has lost much of its original meaning and most folks think it means penance. But the word penance cannot be found anywhere in the Bible. It is not there.

11. Did Paul write any epistles while in the prison at Caesarea?

There is no evidence that he did. And there is strong evidence that he did not. When Paul's testimony was not received at Jerusalem, the Lord said to him, Depart; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. This cannot be said of Caesarea, for it was not far from Jerusalem. Paul's ministry was in Asia, Europe, and ended at Rome.

12. Can it be true„that God will raise up the unbelievers in their original bodies, punish them, and then destroy them?

Resurrection or raising up these people would be an act of creation. Does God create sin or sinners? Would that be according to His attributes? Furthermore why should He punish them? They were slaves of sin and could not help themselves. Also 2Cor 5:19 tells us that Christ died for their sins and no trespasses are imputed. So there is no reason for punishment. The question is just this; What part would this play in redemption?

13. It says in 2Cor 5:18 that all things are of God. Does this include sin and death and also Satan himself?

In the verse before, it says that old things have passed away for the believer and that all things have become new. So all things that are of God are these new things. Never neglect the context. If all things were unlimited, as some suggest, then we can go back to Ecc 1:2 and prove that all things are vanity. But in that case it is the human labors referred to in verses 3-8 that are vanity. Always look for the antecedent.

14. What does the Bible say about birth control?

Nothing, absolutely nothing. There are some things written in 1Cor 7 which seem to pertain to the subject, but it is in view of the coming tribulation and is in keeping with what is revealed in Matt 24:19. After Acts 28:28 Paul advised the younger widows to marry and no longer spoke of the coming distress which was postponed.

15. How did the tradition get started that the church began at Pentecost?

Rome said so. There is no other evidence either historical or Biblical.

16. Some say that Paul never proclaimed the kingdom of God, but preached only the mystery. What is the evidence?

Paul was told first of all by the risen Lord to preach the things which he had seen (Acts 26:16). What he had seen was what the 12 and others were doing. So if Paul preached only the mystery, then we will have to say the same of the 12 and also of Stephen whom Paul heard. In Acts 17:7 the men of Thessalonica heard Paul preach and reported that he preached another King instead of Caesar. Evidently Paul was preaching the kingdom, the same as the 12, up to Acts 28:28.

17. Did not Paul begin a new ministry when he turned to the Gentiles in Acts 13:46? Was not this the beginning of the church?

If you read the next verse you will find that Paul quotes from Isaiah 49:6 for his authority to turn to the Gentiles. Then this was no mystery or secret hid from ages and generations.

18. What was the purpose of the ministry of Peter in the house of Cornelius?

We must note some things that are not true in order to appreciate that which is true. Nothing is said about Cornelius attending temple or synagogue. All we know is that he was a centurion at the head of an Italian band of soldiers and that he was devout, feared God, gave alms to poor Jews, and prayed to God always. This sums up all we know about him. Even after his experience at the preaching of Peter there is nothing said about him, whether he went to the temple or synagogue or whether he ever joined with the band of Christians at Jerusalem or elsewhere. With that out of the way, we can see that this was a preparation for Paul and his ministry to Gentiles during the Acts period of time.

19. How shall I choose a church or place of worship to attend?

In John 4 you will find that this was also the question of the Samaritan woman. And what was the answer? But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. So today worship has no place designated, but the quality is stressed. It is to be a true spiritual worship. What better place to start it than in the home?

20. You have said that John was preaching to Israel only. What proof do you have for saying that?

Acts 13:24.

21. What would be the condition of our country if there had been no churches? Have they not been a great force in keeping our civilization?

We have a great many people today who have gotten all mixed up and they equate civilization and salvation. There are many ministers today dedicated to the task of saving our society at any cost. We have the do-gooders who want to improve the world and the old nature of man so that he will finally reach the peak of evolution and become as God and be fit for heaven. It is true that the churches have improved and preserved a moral tone of our civilization. But that does not save men. Billy Sunday once said, "There is no difference between the up-and-out and the down-and-out. They are all out." That is right. So we cannot say how many would have been saved today without the churches. Many are being saved in spite of them. We do not know how much of the message of salvation would have been preserved in the families of our country if there had been no churches. We just cannot answer your question, for there is no way of knowing. Conditions might have been better or they might have been worse as far as true worship is concerned. Speculation is useless.

22. What are the basic differences between the kingdom and the church?

The kingdom is a part of the promise made to Abraham and pertains primarily to Israel; but The Church is made up of nations without any distinctions. The kingdom will have a King; The Church has a Head. The kingdom is to be here on the earth where David's kingdom was with Jerusalem as the great world center; The Church has its place in the heavenlies. The kingdom has laws; The Church walks by grace. In the kingdom there is a promise of a bride; but The Church is the body of Christ of which He is the Head. But there is one great common truth; all are saved by grace.

23. Is it true that the nation Israel must repent before the Lord can set up His kingdom?

From the human standpoint, Yes. For prophecy tells us that they will mourn and that they will say blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. From God's standpoint, the day cannot be hastened. He will come in the fullness of time.

24. It is said in Rev 1:7 that when the Lord comes every eye shall see Him. Does this mean that all people of all ages will be there to see?

This is a figure of speech, synedoche, where a part is used for the person. Only those who have eyes and can see with them when He comes will see Him. Dead folks cannot see. And some living folks may be blind. They will not see either. We have a similar figure in Ph’p 2:10 where at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that He is Lord. This points to a time farther on than that in Revelation. But it will all be voluntary and only the living and the resurrected will do it. No one will be forced to bow. There are many other Scriptures in which this figure can be found.

25. Is not Christ reigning as King now in the heavens and will not this rule continue? How come some say that he is coming down to earth again to Jerusalem and rule over the nations here?

At the present time Satan and his angels are in the heavens. They will be cast out in the midst of the last week of the 70 weeks determined on Israel (Dan 9:24). This is described in Rev 12:9. So it is patent that Christ is not supreme ruler in the heavens now, but rather that He is hid (Col 3:3), and that whenever Christ is manifested in the heavens the members of His church (not the bride) will be manifested with Him (Col 3:4): That is the hope of The Church of the administration of the mystery. But Christ will come and reign on the earth on the throne of His father, David. In Acts 1:6 the apostles wanted to know if the kingdom was going to be set up at that time. Now since the kingdom is primarily of Israel and they are to be a blessing to the nations of the earth, how will the Lord and Israel reign over the earth as pictured in Psalms 2 if they are in heaven? It is wise to take what the Word says instead of trying to force some private interpretation upon it, or change it.

26. Was the prophecy of Joel fulfilled at Pentecost and the kingdom established there and then?

No, the prophecy has not been fulfilled yet. At Pentecost the Spirit was not poured out upon all flesh in Mt. Zion and Jerusalem. There were many Roman soldiers that did not even know about it. There were no wonders in heaven and signs in the earth at that time. There was no change in the sun and the moon. True, Peter spoke of it as the last days when these things should happen, but many years later John says that he is in the last days (1 John 2:18), and Peter many years later speaks of the last days as still future (2 Peter 3:3). At Pentecost Peter mentions the prophecy of Joel merely to show that what was working in the apostles was the same Spirit as Joel spoke about. Peter did not say that Joel's prophecy was being fulfilled. The Lord's house was not established (Isaiah 2) but was totally destroyed shortly later. David's throne has not been occupied by Christ yet. No kingdom was set up and the apostles set on thrones.

27. What is a mortal sin?

It is a sin unto death (1John 5:16). Under the law, murder was a sin unto death. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira lying unto the Holy Spirit was a sin unto death. In 1Cor 11:30 Paul speaks of some who sin and are sickly, and some even died. That was a sin unto death. Mortal sin was never spoken of a Gentile. It was to those under the law. Today the law is not in effect, so we see no examples as above among Christians.

28. Should a Christian go to war?

When Jews who had hired out as soldiers came to John at the Jordan, he baptized them, but never told them to quit the army. Our Lord healed the son of a centurion, but never told this man to quit warfare. Peter was in the house of Cornelius, but there is no record that he told Cornelius to leave the army. No Scripture can be quoted for either side, except that we are to be subject to the powers that be. One who is in the will of the Lord and trusts Him, will have no difficulty with the question. The Lord will put him where he wants him, whether it be on the battle front or in some peaceful occupation. Such questions as this are from the fearful and unbelieving.

29. Can Satan leave hell and wander on the earth at will?

There is no Scripture that says or even hints that Satan was ever in hell or ever will be. At the present time he is just where he has always been from the time of his creation. Some day he will be cast down from that position in heaven to the earth with no power to ascend to heaven again. Hell is for those who are made of the dust of the earth. Satan is not such a creature.

30. What about men taking upon themselves the title of Reverend?

This word occurs in Scripture just once, Psalms 111:9. It is used of the name of God. It is blasphemous for man to take to himself that which pertains to God and His holy name.

31. Did our Lord wear long hair when here on the earth among men?

No. Unless a man were a Nazarite, it was a shame for him to have long hair (1Cor 11:14). Our Lord was not a Nazarite, for a Nazarite was not permitted to drink wine, and our Lord did.

32. Can a Christian become wealthy?

There is no reason why he cannot. Of course those who take the story or parable of the rich man and Lazarus as literal, make it mandatory that one has to get rid of all personal property and beg if he is to be saved. But there is no premium on poverty in God's Word. Abraham was wealthy and was a friend of God. David was wealthy and he was a man after God's own heart. Isaac and Jacob both were wealthy. Solomon had much wealth. And Joseph who buried the Lord was reputed to be the wealthiest Jew of the time. Wealth can be a curse, and it can be a blessing. But poverty can make a man steal. We have wealthy men today who have contributed much to the spread of the gospel.

33. I hear that you teach that there are two churches instead of one. Is this true?

Why not read what we write and see for yourself? From time to time we have written about the 7 churches in Asia. We have recognized that there was a church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38). We have taken note of the fact that the Lord was going to build His church on a rock (Matt 16:18). And besides these were the churches at Rome, Corinth, and many other places to which Paul addressed letters. But it is noteworthy that after Acts 28:28 the word church is never in the plural and it is The Church, not A church. And every church is a body. So today there is one body (Eph 4:4), One Church.

34. According to 1Cor 16:1 should there be a collection taken up in the meeting each Sunday?

There is one collection only in this passage. It is for the saints at Jerusalem. These saints were believing Jews. This one collection was to be taken up on the first of the weeks. The word day is not in the Greek. This is the first week after the Passover. Paul would then take up this collection and carry it with him to Jerusalem.

35. What is this resurrection in Php 3:11?

The out resurrection from among the dead is the prize of the high calling and is for those who have remained faithful and suffered like unto the suffering of Jesus Christ. Paul is saying he is not sure if he will attain to it so as to show it is a prize for believers that suffer and remain faithful to the end and to contrast it with other hopes and resurrections taught by the apostle. In Hebrews 11 he does speak of some who attained to a better resurrection. But they were of a different administration. It is not the resurrection that is the result of believing and obtaining everlasting life. For that is by faith, and not by attainment. By 2 Timothy Paul is confident of attaining the prize and also knows his life shall soon end by the hands of his captors.

36. I have heard, life defined as union with Christ and death as separation from Christ. Does this fit the Scriptures?

Try it for yourself. Read Romans 6:1-10 and use these definitions for life and death. Does this fit?

37. I notice that in the records of the baptism of our Lord in Jordan, that it says that He came up out of the water. Does this mean that He was immersed in the water?

Not necessarily. A river flows, as a usual thing in a bed, for water seeks the lowest level possible. So to get into the river it was necessary to go down into the water and to get out, meant going up out of the water.

38. Who are the other sheep of John 10:16?

The word other is allos which means others of the same kind. Since Israel are the sheep and these are of the same kind, they cannot be Gentiles. That fold ceased to exist at Acts 28:28. There is no fold now. But God will deal with Israel again some day and then there will be another fold and other sheep, not the same ones of this fold in John 10. The present era is between the folds. For, other references to these sheep, see Matt 22:9,10 and 24:31. Are not these all the same?

39. How is it that you teach Pauline doctrine, but do not advocate the Lord's table (1Cor 10 & 1l)?

We do not teach Pauline doctrine for the simple reason that there is no such thing. Paul preached 4 separate gospels during his ministry. In 1Cor 10 and 11 Paul is writing to Jewish believers whose fathers had crossed the Red Sea (10:1). And the feast he is talking about is the Passover which was observed in the homes, not in public. This feast was a supper, observed in the evening, never at morning or noon. These 2 chapters cannot be used for a proof text in support of the observance of the heathen Baal's supper which had been taken up by Christendom.

40. I wonder why that Satan is usually pictured as a black man with horns, hooves, and a tail, when it says in 2Cor 11:14 that he is transformed into an angel of light. What did he look like when he appeared in the garden to Eve?

The popular conception of Satan is really a picture of Nimrod, the great rebel of Babylon. It is told in the legends that he killed a wild bull of extraordinary strength and fierceness. He is supposed to have taken the horns of the bull and made himself a headdress. It did not take the artists long to add the hooves and the tail (always pointed as a spear) and you have the concept of Nimrod the great hunter of his fellow men. We are told in Ezekiel 28 that Satan was created as a covering cherub and when he appeared to Eve it was as the Nachash (shining one). So to Eve he did appear as a great and shining angel, one to revere and believe. No snake deceived Eve.

41. Why do you persist in using the King James version when there are so many modern ones that are more easily understood and which do not use obsolete words?

There are a number of reasons for retaining the Authorized Version. Many concordances would be useless, there would be difficulty with lexicons and the like for they are mostly founded on the AV. It is a sample of the best English of the past centuries. And no modern version can express the holiness and majesty of God as it does. It presents no difficulties to those who have been brought up in Christian homes where the Bible was read and prayers made. Neither does it present any difficulties to one who knows God. But the Bible will remain a closed book to the ungodly no difference what version it may be in. We are very suspicious of versions, for all too often they reflect some man's private belief which may be partial unbelief. None yet has surpassed the Authorized Version which also has the benefit of putting many words in italics where there were no corresponding Greek or Hebrew word in the original manuscripts. It is also one of the earliest English translations and although not perfect does contain less license to private doctrines and added words.

42. Who should keep the Passover?

All circumcised Israelites. It was to be eaten in the home. There was to be no leaven in the house. No manner of work was to be done on the day it was observed. Do not forget that this is all about the kingdom and not The Church. The children of the household were to ask why it was observed and the master of the house recited the story of the exodus from Egypt. The law never made any provisions for any uncircumcised to observe it. See Ex 12:47-49. It was in force till the end of Acts, where The Church began.

43. Should I put something into the collection plate when 1 go to a church?

Most certainly, yes, unless you are the type of person that would slip under the side of the circus tent to avoid paying admission. If you go for the show, then pay your share. Jonah paid his fare, even when running from the Lord (Jonah 1:3).

44. What is the meaning of Gal 2:20? How can one be dead and yet alive?

Christ is our life, we have no eternal life of ourselves. Christ is our supply. Holding Him we have nourishment ministered. This is the fact concerning ourselves as His own, a fact we are required to acknowledge against the background of our own death. He has accomplished for us our death to the end that He may now abide in us. The one has first to happen before the other can be. This is the meaning of the words: I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me (Gal 2:20). But for an acknowledgment that we, as to our human life, are mortal we can never believe that we are accounted to have died with Christ. Those of our fellow-brethren who hold that the soul of man is immortal may use the term that they died with Christ - but they cannot in actuality believe that they did die. They cannot envisage the truth that, as to their human life, they are accounted to have ceased to be.

45. Paul expected to be among the living at the rapture (1Thes 4:15-17; 1Cor 15:51,52). Is this rapture still Paul's hope, even though he died and will be among the dead believers of that time?

The rapture is only for the children of promise, primarily Jews but also Gentiles who became the children of Abraham by faith from Acts 10 to Acts 28:28. It has to do with the kingdom here on the earth. The rapture is just a little trip up into the air (not heaven) to meet the Lord as He comes with clouds of angels who will execute judgment as He sets up His kingdom seated on the throne of David in Jerusalem. Since the husbandman is to be the first partaker of the fruits, then Paul must surely have a part in the administration of the mystery which was entrusted to him to proclaim. Therefore he will have an earlier resurrection than that at the coming of the Lord and will be manifested with Him in the heavenly places.

46. Matthew 8:11 seems to indicate that Gentiles from the East and the West will have a part in the kingdom, but not from the North and the South. Is there any explanation for this?

There is no explanation that we can give at this time except the suggestion that it may be that the Russians and the Egyptians will not have a part in it. That could also include Lebanon and Syria. But this is only a guess. These nations might be all changed around by that time. But it is something to think about. The Word is exact and there is good reason for these words being written. The prophecies will be plain to all when fulfilled.

47. If the 70 weeks of Daniel 9 begins at the dedication of the temple, 1 always thought it had its beginning with the decree of Artaxerxes or Astyages in 454 B.C. Can you explain your position?

Very briefly, you will find 2 distinct prophecies in Daniel chapter 9. The first one is in verse 24 and speaks of the second advent of the Messiah. Note that 70 weeks are determined upon the people and the city. This cannot begin with the decree for the simple reason that the people are not in the city till about 49 years (7 weeks) later. So the 70 weeks determined on the city and the people must begin about the time of the dedication of the temple or 405 B.C. It is not hard then to figure that the coming of the Messiah to set up His kingdom would have been AD. 85. However the course of the city and the people did not run to this end, but the people were set aside at Acts 28:28 and since then have not been a people. The city was destroyed in 70 AD. Now if the people were cut off at the end of Acts, about A.D. 63, then there are about 3 weeks yet to run till the coming of the Messiah. We do not know when this prophecy will be resumed. Now the 7 and 62 weeks after the going forth of the decree brings us to A.D. 29, the date when Messiah was cut off. That has been completed.

48. Does Genesis 6:3 indicate that God will not always strive with men,. but that one can cross a deadline where there will be no more conviction by the Holy Spirit and they are forever lost?

Man, in this verse is Adam in the Hebrew: The verse means that God is getting weary of striving with Adam, for Adam (like others) is erring. See note in Companion Bible. So Adam is given another 120 years to live and he died at the age of 930. So we can take it that Adam was 810 years old when God finally made up His mind not to put up with him.

49. Is there any escape from hell once one is in it? If so, how?

The common notion of hell is far from what the Word says that it is. It is sheol in the Hebrew and occurs 65 times in the OT. It is translated hell 31 times, grave 31 times and pit 3 times. The RV is consistent in that it renders it sheol each time. It could be translated grave all 65 times and not mar the meaning. In the NT hades is used 11 times. It is also used in the LXX to translate sheol. So it is the same thing. It is translated 10 times as hell and once as grave. Gehenna does not enter into this discussion, for although it is translated hell, it is the city dump outside of Jerusalem. Neither does Tartarus enter in either. The grave or hell is a place where people are dead and live not again till resurrection (Rev 20:5). Our Lord was in hell 3 days and 3 nites. He came out by resurrection and was the first fruits of the great harvest that is still to come forth. Death and hell are to be destroyed (Rev 20:13,14). So all go to hell or the grave at death. Those who have everlasting life will escape by resurrection.

50. What is the difference between the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God?

The former includes the latter in one sense. The gospel or good news of the kingdom was first proclaimed by John the Baptist, the Lord Himself, then the 12, and finally the 70, this being before the death of Christ. Then the apostles were further instructed as to the kingdom and this was the gospel preached by all up to Acts 28:28. The gospel of the grace of God began in the house of Cornelius, about 9 years after Pentecost. This was the only instance that Peter preached this gospel. None of the other 11 preached it at any time. And about 17 years after Pentecost Paul began to preach the gospel of the grace of God at Antioch to the Gentiles (just as Peter did) and continued it till the end of Acts. But in every instance Paul was careful to preach the gospel of the kingdom to the Jew first, and then turned to the Gentiles and preached to them the gospel of the grace of God, which meant that they could partake of all the spiritual blessings of Israel without keeping the law (being circumcised, keeping feasts, and the rituals). The same salvation (not eternal life) of the kingdom was at that time for both Jew and Gentile, but to the Jew first.

51. What is the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25)?

In this context we learn that the mystery that is in view is one that had been hushed since the ages began. So it is not the administration of the mystery which was hid from ages and generations and had its plans made before the ages began. This mystery, that had been hushed had been made known by the prophets as the context tells us, so it is not the mystery of Ephesians and Colossians. Also this mystery in Romans is made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. In the structure outline of Romans this is explained by the same words appearing in 1:1-5. It is the preaching of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, but connected with His being the seed of David. So then this is kingdom preaching and declares Jesus Christ not only the anointed one or Messiah, but truly the Son of God.

52. In what sense, if any, did works ever save?

Basically we have all through the Bible record the revelation of life as the gift of God, received by faith and in no connection whatsoever with works. But on that life we find based at least two salvations or lines of blessing. One is the promise made to Abraham. At least the kingdom aspect of the administration of promise has much to do with works as the sermon on the mount will indicate. Also Mark 16:16 adds that when the kingdom was being preached to Jews only, they must believe and be baptized in order to be saved. From 1Cor 3 we may infer that good works of themselves did not save, but could be burned up and the worker saved as by fire. When works were connected with salvation, they were for the most part specific rather than general. But today we have a salvation revealed in Eph 2:8-10 which is obtained by faith only. This salvation is a creation unto good works, not of works.

53. I am puzzled by Mark 13:32. Does this take away from the truth of the deity of Christ?

This passage says, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. This has been a favorite verse for those who deny the deity of Christ. But it may be that it does prove His deity. He knows that no man knows the day and the hour. He knows that the angels in heaven do not know the day and the hour. Does not this knowledge indicate deity? And what if He does not choose to know? Deity can forget or remember at will. He can forget our sins. That we cannot do. If the Lord chose not to know the time, then that was His business and we have no right to question Him.

54. Is glory a place?

If at any time it answers the question, Where?, then it is a place. Whenever the question of place comes up with any terms, this is a good question to ask. If it designates where something is to be or to happen, then it is a place. But you will note when you look up the word glory in the concordance that it is not always used the same. It may speak of the glory of God. It may speak of the glory of Christ. And there are other usages. In the mystery of godliness in 1Timothy 3:16 it says that He was received up into glory. This answers the question of Where?, and is definitely a place. You may try other passages with the same method.

55. What is dispensational truth?

It is the body of truth, doctrine and practice, that is for a particular household of God. Some dispensational truth may be common to both dispensations. Some truth may be peculiar to its own particular dispensation. For instance, citizenship in the heavenly places is peculiar to the dispensation of the mystery. On the other hand, a part in the new Jerusalem is peculiar to the dispensation of promise. The word chosen is common to both, but time of choosing makes the distinction. The choice of some is before the overthrow, and the choice of others since the overthrow. This is where the workmanship of right division comes in.

56. What is meant by falling from grace?

You probably refer to Gal 5:4. In the first place this epistle to the Galatians is written to the members of the administration of promise, and especially to the Gentile members who had been grafted into the blessings of Israel and the kingdom. To these Paul had preached the gospel of the grace of God, that they might receive all the benefits of the administration of the promise without being circumcised and keeping the law. But there were Judaizers who were convincing some of these Gentiles that they must be circumcised and keep the law. So Paul says to them, For I testify again to every man (Gentile) that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you (Gentiles) are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. So to fall from grace was to leave the grace principle or gospel and go back to circumcision.

57. Was the crossing of the Red Sea literal, or was it just a figurative story?

If it was just a story, then we fail to see the point. If it was just a story, then how did the few million Hebrew slaves get out of Egypt?

58. What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Ghost? Acts 1:4,5.

At Pentecost the apostles were baptized with the Holy Ghost in fulfillment of the promise in Luke 24: 49. They received power from on high. This power enabled them to speak in languages and perform many miracles. This was in connection with those who proclaimed the kingdom. It was not in any way connected with The Church. See The Giver and His Gifts by E. W. Bullinger for further light.

59. Can Gentiles partake of the New Covenant?

Jer 31:31 plainly states that the New Covenant is to be made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. This is again quoted in Heb 8:8. This is with Israel, not The Church or the Gentiles. The Gentiles do have a promise (Eph 3:6; 2Tim 1:1; Tit 1:2). But Gentiles have always been strangers from the covenants of promise (Eph 2:12).

60. In Acts 20:27 Paul declares that he has shown the whole counsel of God, yet we are led to believe that the mystery which was later proclaimed had been hid from ages and generations and that Paul did not know it there in Acts 20. How can we reconcile these?

If you will look at Eph 1:9 and 11 you will see two words used which do not mean the same thing. One is counsel, and the other is purpose. Paul did not say that he had proclaimed the whole purpose of God, but God's counsel (in accordance with the purpose then revealed). But when a new purpose or further purpose was made known, then there was a counsel or working out of that purpose as you see in Ephesians one. Be careful with terms.

61. What are the gates of hell in Matthew 16:18?

Since no explanation is given in that place, we must then go back to the OT which the disciples at that time had. In Isaiah 38:10 we read, I shall go to the gates of the grave. Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? (Job 38:17). Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death (Psalms 9:13). Can this be resurrection from the grave? And we read in Psalms 107: 18, And they draw near unto the gates of death. Now going back to the passage in Matthew, we must conclude that the doors of the grave or hell cannot hold His church when He calls. They will come forth from the state of death.

62. If being born again in John 3:3 means resurrection, then what does it mean in 1Peter 1:23?

The same word is not used in these two passages. The latter means begotten (See margin in Companion Bible). So we must conclude that there can be no rebirth or resurrection without a begetting by the Word of God. Try using begotten in John 3:6 and see what the meaning is. Further study is needed in this subject.

63. Is it true that "ALL Paul's early epistles are addressed to Gentiles." References, such as Romans 11:13; 1Cor 12:2; Gal 4:8; and 1Thess 2:14, are given to prove the point. Can you give more light on this?

There is little doubt that Paul's first epistle was Galatians. And it appears that it was written to the Gentile Christians of Galatia. But at the same time it is evident that he wrote Hebrews, and that epistle is not to Gentiles at all! Romans 2 is to the Jewish believers, verse 17 emphasizing it. Chapters 10 and 11 of 1Cor are to those whose fathers crossed the Red Sea. Surely they must have been Jews. The fathers of the Gentiles never crossed the Red Sea. You will note in these chapters the directions for keeping the feast (the Passover) which was never lawful for Gentiles to keep.

64. Must the Roman empire be revived?

For many years we have heard this debated, but really have never yet found a Scripture which would indicate that this must be true. We are open to any proof anyone may offer for this, but we are afraid it is merely a tradition someone started.

65. How can every knee bow confessing Christ Lord, to God's glory, unless reconciled? (Philippians 2: 10,11).

Lest any be misled, we must emphasize the fact that reconciliation is not life nor is it salvation. The definition is given in 2Cor 5:19. It means that a work was accomplished so that the sins of the world are not imputed against it. This is good news for those who do not have life, for it gives them access to God to receive the precious gift of everlasting life. Those that have this life shall live. And in resurrection, they will be given knees which they can bow, and be given tongues with which they can confess. But those who do not have life and will never see life (John 3:36), but remain in the dust of the earth, will never have knees or tongues.

66. What does it mean in Philippians 2:12 where it says we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling?

It is well to consider what salvation is before making any applications. It does not say that we are to work out our everlasting life. To equate salvation and everlasting life will only get us into confusion. And somebody has said that confusion is ignorance. When our Lord said to the woman of Samaria that salvation was of the Jews, He was not talking about everlasting life. By faith the Samaritans or any other people could have life. Peter recognized this fact in Acts 10:43. Israel had a salvation to work out. It was that they were to be a priestly nation and make known to the nations the name of Jehovah. They were promised the blessings of the kingdom. To them pertained the preaching of the kingdom. All this was their salvation and they were expected to work it out. And so when the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles in Acts 28:28, it does not mean that they are then to obtain everlasting life. Their salvation was the administration of the mystery with all its hopes and blessings. This they were to work out.

67. What is the meaning of 1Timothy 1:8?

This verse states that the law is good if one uses it lawfully. There is law today, but not in the sense of the Mosaic law given at Sinai, although that law did reveal the righteousness of God and man's utter inability to attain unto such a state of holiness. But the law or will of God is given to us in the last seven epistles of Paul in the form of exhortations and the like. This is a good thing for us providing we do not attempt to use it as a means of boasting in the flesh. We can walk worthy of our vocation or calling, but there is nothing to brag about, for such a walk is where Christ lives in and acts thru us.

68. What is the difference between eternal life and everlasting life?

They both translate the same phrase in the Greek. However God alone can have eternal life for He has no beginning or end. His children do have a beginning and are given everlasting life through the works of His Son.

69. Your teaching seems very queer. How can Christ be King of kings on the earth and at the same time be Head of a church which is His body in heaven? This is absurd, is it not?

For finite beings such as you and I, this would be impossible and therefore absurd. But if Christ were deity, God manifest in flesh, then He is the Infinite and could appear in as many different places and forms as He might choose.

70. Was Christ a soul after the resurrection?

Psalms 16:10 says, Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. This is quoted in Acts 2:27 by Peter, and part of it is quoted in Acts 13:35 by Paul. Christ went to hell just as have all others who have lived and died on this earth. But His soul was holy and so did not see corruption. It was raised from the dead. If He was a soul before death, then He was a soul in resurrection.

71. I have heard it said that God is acting in grace today to all the world, and that if He does not act in grace, He does not act at all. Is this according to the Scriptures?

In theory, this is but another version of universal reconciliation or salvation. It just happens that the Redeemer in the Hebrew is also the Avenger. The redemption of Noah and his family brought vengeance on the wicked world of that time. The redemption of Israel from Egypt brought vengeance on Pharaoh and his hosts. The very fact that God loves His people makes Him hate their enemies. We are told that Buddha loves everybody. He sits and does nothing about it. But that is not our God. His grace is for those that will partake of it. His wrath abides on others (John 3:36).

72. I am a little mixed up. It speaks of the inheritance of God in the heavenlies in Ephesians 1:18, and in Colossians 1:12 it says that we are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance in the holiest in light. However Ephesians 5:5 indicates that one may lose this inheritance. How is this?

The Church has an inheritance, even as did Israel. Individuals may lose it, even as many thousands of Israel lost their inheritance.

73. In Psalms 1:5 it says that the ungodly would not stand (arise) in the judgment, and that this meant no resurrection for the unbelievers. Somebody said that this word stand did not mean resurrection. Can you answer this?

A lot of people are quick to set forth their own ideas as gospel truth, but err, not knowing the Scriptures. You will find this word quwm (koom) on page 1101 of the Englishman's Hebrew Concordance. There is a long list of the places where used, but one or two will suffice. See Job 14:12; Psalms 88:10; Isaiah 26:14. You can also check this with Strong's concordance. The word number is 6965. This is what Scripture says.

74. Do you believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible? If so, then how would you translate sheep and vine and the like for people who know nothing of these things? After all, is not the Bible just the words of men?

The Bible time after time claims to be the Word of God. If it is not, then it is false and should be thrown out altogether. It would even be dangerous if it were just the words of men. But look at Psalms 12: 6, The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. God has spoken in man's language to man, but He does not use those words carelessly as man does. And the fact that some might not understand some of the terms used is no excuse to make any changes in the Word of God. How many understand love? How many comprehend the term righteousness? We who are teachers have to teach what these things are. And so it is up to a man to teach what a sheep or a vine is when speaking to the Eskimos. Some tribes do not know what a home is. It is up to Christians to teach and to show these what a home is. We must not tamper with the Scriptures. But we must remember that All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable...

75. What is the sin mentioned in Hebrews 12:1?

It is the sin of unbelief. That is the root of all other sins. Self-will nourishes it.

76. It seems strange that Rahab the harlot should be so well spoken of in the Bible. Why?

In this day when men think that respectability is Christianity, this does pose a real question. But Rahab was saved by faith and not by any moral qualities she may have had. So we can say that she was a sinner saved by grace. People who do not know the love and power of God cannot understand His works. Our Lord was criticized because He kept company with publicans and sinners. God is able to take the worst sinner living today and make a saint of him. But men with all their do-good programs and reformation cannot do this.

77. Why don't we hear more about Jobs wife?

She was not much good as a wife. When Job was in trouble and grief, she was no comfort. All she had to say was that he should curse God and commit suicide (Job 2:9). God did not see fit even to put her name in Scripture. The same with Lot's wife.

78. Why did God have a program of healing in the apostolic times and not have it today?

During the time covered by Acts, the kingdom was still at hand. If any at that time would have been careful to study Daniel 9, they would have been able to set the date of the Lord's second coming and the setting up of His kingdom. It would have been A.D. 85, just 490 years from the dedication of the temple after the exile (405 B.C.). With that near coming at hand, it would be fitting that those who believed and entered into the kingdom would be alive and ready to meet the King at His coming. So the sick were healed and the dead raised during the time that the kingdom was in view. But when the kingdom was postponed at Acts 28:28, the gifts of the Spirit ceased. The two days of Hosea 6:2 must intervene before Israel will be raised and come into their kingdom. Resurrection and being manifested with Him in the heavenlies is the hope of the members of The Church which is His body today. A resurrection at about the time of the great white throne of judgment is the hope of those who have everlasting life, but no adoption (See Job 14:12 and compare with Rev 20:11). Thus we can see that there is no gifts of healing and the like today.

79. How about the common teaching that the church is Spiritual Israel? Is it true?

I am afraid that we will never be able to find the expression Spiritual Israel in the Bible. It is not there. History tells us that this expression originated with a man by the name of Origines. He was a Greek writer and teacher of the third century. It was a theory that God was forever thru with the Jew and now all the blessings and covenants had been transferred to the church. A few years later the Emperor Constantine saw in this a great chance to improve his position as ruler. This would make a fine basis for a church-state, making war in the name of and with the aid of religion, for ritual, pomp, splendor, and ecclesiastical theatricals. We have on hand today the tragic results of that lie, that theory, which has caused to much bloodshed and misery in centuries past. And if we are not careful, organized religion will again take over and rule the world. Then there will be great tribulation.

80. Is water baptism essential for the remission of sins?

Isaiah had a coal of fire laid upon his mouth, which in touching his lips took away all his iniquity and purged all his sins. Our Lord spoke to many during His earthly ministry, remitting their sins without baptism. The members of The Church of the administration of The Mystery are not under law, and they today have redemption through His blood, and the forgiveness of sins. They have only one baptism and this is explained in Col 2:12,13 as being identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, even to a quickening with Him with the accompaniment of forgiveness of sins. No water baptism is mentioned in connection with The Church. It is a part of the law and the kingdom of Israel. But there are even now those who claim that they are Jews (Rev 2:9; 3:9)

81. It would seem that Romans 2:14 proves that man did not have a fall, but by nature does the things of the law. How do you see it?

The epistle to the Romans has suffered much at the hands of its friends, the commentators and the expositors. It is a case of being very careful to read the address on the envelope, to find out to whom the apostle is speaking. This epistle is written to the church at Rome which was made up of Jewish and Gentile believers. The man spoken to in verse 1 of chapter 2 is seen to be the Jew (see verse 17). When we read Galatians we see that the Gentile believers in the churches were not subject to the law of Israel. This is also brought out in the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15). So here in Romans 2:14 Paul is reminding the Jewish believers that the Gentile believers did by nature (the new nature in the believer) the things contained in the law. This would only be natural, for the law did contain the righteous requirements of God for His people. This does not say that the Gentiles observed the ritual of the law. That was settled in Acts 15:24-29.

82. There is a great deal of mention of the book of life in the Revelation. There seems to be a danger of being blotted out of it. How can one know his name is in this book?

This is another example of carelessly reading the Word. The book of life is mentioned about 7 times in the Revelation. Once it is called the Lamb's book of life (21:27). This might give us a clue. But the best explanation for it is given in Daniel 12:1. The names written in the book are those of Daniel's people, that is, Israel. So we do not look for the names of Gentiles to be written in that particular book. The Revelation is about Israel, their tribulation, and the overcomers. It is possible that there might be a book for the Gentiles, but you will find that elsewhere.

83. Do we today have need of the Advocate mentioned in 1John 2:1?

Under the law, men were judged by the law (Romans 2:12) and those that do not have the law cannot be judged by it. Where there is no law, sin is not imputed and therefore there can be no summons to court or a charge made against the sinner (see 2Cor 5:19 and Romans 5:13). Those under the law prayed that they might be forgiven as they forgave others. But we who are under grace are to forgive others freely because we have been forgiven (Eph 4:32). We have no need of an Advocate today, for we have forgiveness of sins (Eph 1:7 & Col 1:14).

84. What was the spiritual condition of the rich young ruler when he came to the Lord and asked what he should do to inherit eternal life?

This young man who must have been a "somewhat" in the synagogue was already a believer. He recognized the Lord as the Messiah, the King of Israel. His request was what he must do to have a place of importance in the kingdom. The reply of the Lord was very similar to His words in Matt 19:29. It meant the forsaking of everything in the world for His name's sake. The price was too high for this man.

85. Did Paul continue establishing churches or assemblies after Acts 28:28?

There is no record that he did. Neither is there any record that such churches or assemblies were in existence after Acts 28:28.

86. What part, or parts, of the gospel of John are truth for this administration?

In the first place, we do not use the term "this administration." If the administration of The Mystery is meant, then John's gospel is not to or for it. But John's gospel is truth for today. So many are misled by the expression "this administration," thinking it means this age or time in which we live and that it means a way in which God is dealing with mankind today in general. God does have a special way of dealing with the administration of The Mystery, a church already seated in heavenly places. But for the rest of humanity today, John's gospel applies (John 3:16). There is no administration teaching for today in this gospel. That which applies today and which is for Gentiles (the Jews have been set aside, 1:11), is 1:1-18; 3:13-21; and 3:31-36. The reason for the writing of the gospel is given in 20:30,31. There are some short explanations through the book for Gentile readers, and then the last 2 verses of the book are up-to-date.

87. Should those who are Christians gather together at some place for worship today?

It may be that the word worship is somewhat overdone these days. Even in Israel, the temple was the designated place of worship. The Synagogue was not a place of worship, but a place to teach the Scriptures and also as a court where men might be tried under the law and penalties meted out. Paul knew this very well, for he had been beaten in the Synagogues many times. In the epistles written after Acts 28:28 the word worship occurs just once. That is in Ph'p 3:3 where Paul says, For we are the (true) circumcision, which worship God in the spirit. This is an echo of John 4:23 where the Lord said to the woman of Samaria, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshiper shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. That worship has nothing to do with a place, a priesthood, nor a ritual. It is natural for those who love the Word and the One of whom it speaks to gather together, but we have no such command today. Leaders often wish it and even pretend it so they can get a following and a big collection.

88. Do you believe that there are 2 bodies?

In the administration of The Mystery there is 1 Body (Eph 4:4). In the administration of promise there was 1 body (1Co 12:13). Whether that included all believers I cannot tell. It may have been just the church at Corinth. So there was one body, and there is one body. But they are not the same. The first was of Israel with an earthly hope. There is one now of Gentiles already seated in heavenly places. The first was to minister to the nations of the earth. There is one now making known the manifold wisdom of God to principalities and powers in heavenly places. We are aware that most of Christendom does not know much about right division and the mystery.

89. I am curious about Acts 17:11. What was it that Paul told the Bereans, and what Scriptures might they have looked up to see if it was so?

You have done well to stop and ask such a question. Not many have done that. In the same chapter, in verses 2 and 3, you will find what Paul preached; And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them (the synagogue of the Jews), and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus-whom I preach unto you, is Christ. So it is clear that Paul was preaching and arguing from the Scriptures that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed their Christ and Messiah, the King of Israel. In verse 7 his enemies charge him with saying, that there is another king (than Caesar), one Jesus. The theme of their Scriptures, the OT, is of the coming kingdom and the King. And this is what the Bereans found. Paul was not preaching the administration of The Mystery. Even if he had, they could not have verified his message from the Scriptures they had, for it was a subject that had been hid in God from ages and generations (Eph 3:9; Col 1:26). Be sure to check this.

90. How can we know that the "voice" in Isaiah 40:3 refers to John the Baptist?

The Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to write of John the Baptist, For this is He that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. This is quoted from the reference you gave. Also you will find that a messenger is to be sent to proclaim the coming of the Lord, the God of Israel (Mal 2:16,17; 3:1-4). This is the same Lord and God referred to in your text. Not only does John the Baptist fulfill the place of the messenger, but Jesus of Nazareth is the Lord and the God of Israel whose way is to be made straight. Christ is Jehovah.

91. Could it be that Philippians 2:9-11 refers to the man, Jesus, who is another creature or a god?

In this reference it is plainly stated that the highest name possible is given to Jesus of Nazareth. That name is found in Psalms 7:17, the first of 36 places it occurs in the OT. It is Jehovah-Elyon, or, Jehovah the Most High God. There is no name above this one. If Jesus of Nazareth was not Jehovah, the Most High God, then our Bible is wrong, not inspired, and can not be trusted. We might just as well throw it out and lean on our own understanding. Here is a further quotation from Isaiah 45:23, I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall swear. In this same context it is made plain that there is no other Savior. However Satan still is saying, Yea, hath God said! We find our directions made clear in 2 John 9,10, Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ (what the Word testifies of Him) , hath not God ...If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. Just remember, the greatest of sins is unbelief.

92. What is the meaning of Romans 9:6 where it says, " For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel." Does this have to do with the true seed?

The true and the false seed are not in this context. Rather, the downfall of Israel and the blessing of the Gentile believers is the subject of chapters 9-11 here in Romans. Paul is making it plain that the true Israel of God is not all made up of the descendants of Israel, but also includes Gentiles. In his first epistle, Paul said to the Gentile believers, And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Gal 3:29). In verse 9 of the same chapter we read, So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Now keep in mind that this is in the administration of promise, not The Mystery. Israel is still first.

93. Did John the Baptist have a message and a baptism for Gentiles?

There is no record that he did. In fact, there was no ministry to Gentiles in the NT until the day that Peter went to the house of Cornelius in the city of Caesarea (Acts 10 entire).

94. There is much talk these days about Moses being married to a black woman, and also that Philip preached to a colored man of Ethiopia. Do these have any bearing on truth for today?

None that I can think of. Zipporah was the wife of Moses. She was the daughter of a priest in Midian. His name was Reuel, Raguel, or Jethro. The Midianites were children of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah, and so would be the same race and color as Moses. Since Midian was in Arabia, a part of the land of Cush, she would be a Cushite by nationality, but a Midianite by race. So what? The eunuch, to whom Philip spoke, is not. said to be an Ethiopian, but from Ethiopia. He had the Scriptures and had been to Jerusalem to worship. So we must conclude that he was a Jew that was a slave in high position with the queen of Ethiopia. This would correspond with the condition of Daniel in the court of Nebuchanezzar and later in the court of Darius the Mede. I might add that the queen of Sheba was very probably not of Ethiopia, as tradition says, but queen Hatshepsut of Egypt (Sheba meaning south).

95. What is meant by the evil day in Ephesians 6:13?

There is a chance that at some time during the truth of the administration of The Mystery there may come a time of tribulation or trial upon those who dare to speak this truth. The spiritual failure and barrenness we see in Christendom today can well lead to such a condition.

96.  Are we to approach the throne of grace in prayer today as indicated in Hebrews 4:16?

The word throne does not appear in any of the epistles Paul wrote after Acts 28:28. It is not found in the gospel of John which was also written this side of Acts. Throne has to do with a King and a kingdom. There is no place for a throne in The Church. In the plural, it occurs in Col 1:16, but it is concerning thrones, dominions, and the like in heaven and earth, not the throne of God.

97. In Romans 6:14,15 it speaks of not being under the law, but under grace. Was not the Jew still under the law then?

Yes, the Jew was still under the ceremonial law, known as the law. But in the reference you gave, there is no article. Under faith, love, and grace, the Jew was no longer subject to the moral law. The moral law is contained in the last 5 of the 10 commandments. You can readily see that if one loves his neighbor as himself, then this moral law is made void. It is rather a strange thing to say that law is for the lawless. But that is right. The Gentile believers in Rome had the new nature and so did the things of the law, even though they never had it (Romans 2:14). Romans 13:8,10 shows that love is the fulfilling of the law (the moral law).

98. According to Ephesians 3:2 is not this the age or administration of grace?

No. This verse tells us that a special administration of grace was given to Paul that he might preach the gospel of the administration of The Mystery. Just notice how Paul follows this statement up in verses 7 & 8. Compare with Col 1:25 where he speaks of his ministry being an administration of God to him. The next verse speaks of this ministry as The Mystery.

99. When did water baptism cease to be the rule for God's people?

The apostles and Paul baptized with water in the Acts era. Paul makes it known that after Acts 28:28 there is one baptism (Eph 4:5) and in Col 2:12 this baptism is described as being identified with Christ in death, burial and resurrection. So we must conclude that water baptism ceased at the end of Acts.

100. Is it true that two distinct purposes of God are revealed in the Bible?

Yes that is true. (1) There is a distinctive purpose revealed concerning Israel, the kingdom, and the earth program (not connected with powers in the heavens). The kingdom phase culminates in the coming of the King, the rapture of His people, Israel, and the setting up of the kingdom. (2) There is another distinctive purpose revealed after Acts 28:28 which has to do with the Gentiles (nations) and this in connection with heavenly places and heavenly beings. This is The Church. All believers outside these two distinctive purposes from Adam till now will have their part with the dying malefactor in paradise (the new earth). This groups all believers into 3 groups, but with 2 spheres of blessing, the earth and the heavens.
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