Words of Life Theological Seminary

🔥 IT IS EASY TO LOOK AT THE WORLD AND ASK,
“Where is everything going?”

But Scripture turns the question inward before it turns it outward.

Before prophecy becomes a chart—
it becomes a call to examine the heart.

Jesus warned:

📖 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
— Matthew 24:12 (KJV)

That verse is sobering.

Jesus did not describe a world with no religion.

He described a world where increasing lawlessness affects the heart.

Lawlessness is more than disorder.

At its root, it is resisting God’s authority.

It is humanity saying:

“We will decide what is right.”

That is why cold love and lawlessness are connected.

When God’s authority becomes optional,
truth becomes negotiable.

And when truth becomes negotiable,
deception becomes easier to accept.

Paul later wrote:

📖 “…because they received not the love of the truth…”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (KJV)

Notice what the verse says.

Not the absence of truth—

but the absence of love for truth.

That is a dangerous difference.

Truth can be heard but not treasured.

Known but not obeyed.

Spoken but not loved.

That is why Scripture repeatedly calls believers to watchfulness.

Not fear.

Not obsession.

Watchfulness.

📖 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith…”
— 1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)

Watchfulness means remaining anchored.

Not allowing the heart to grow dull.

Not replacing God’s Word with whatever is popular.

And that is where examination becomes biblical.

📖 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…”
— 2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

Not:

“Am I good enough?”

But:

Am I walking with the Lord?

Do I still value truth?

Do I still desire His Word?

Am I growing—or drifting?

Jesus said:

📖 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way…”
— Matthew 7:14 (KJV)

The narrow path has never depended on numbers.

Truth remains truth even when it becomes unpopular.

Stay watchful.
Stand firm.
Keep your eyes on Christ. ✨

✝️ To the lost:

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJV)

Christ died for our sins,
was buried,
and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

Believe the gospel.
Trust His finished work.
That is where eternal life is found.

The Hidden Wisdom That God Had Kept Secret Since The World Began Was Revealed To Apostle Paul Unto Us.

LESSON: THE WORD “GOSPEL” (GOOD NEWS) — ITS MEANING AND HOW GETS CONFUSED WITH SALVATION ITSELF.
by sola scriptura and apostle Paul’s doctrine

THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD “GOSPEL” (GOOD NEWS)
The word “gospel” (good news) simply means good news or glad tidings. The word itself does not automatically tell you which good news is being discussed. The meaning must always be determined by the context of Scripture.
Many people assume every time the Bible says “gospel” (good news), it always means the exact same message. But Scripture uses the word in different contexts.
For example, Scripture speaks about:
the gospel (good news) of the kingdom
the gospel (good news) of the grace of God
my gospel (good news)
the everlasting gospel (good news)
The word itself remains the same, but the surrounding message, audience, and revealed information can differ according to God’s dispensational dealings.
The confusion begins when people assume every use of the word “gospel” (good news) automatically refers to the present gospel (good news) of salvation revealed through apostle Paul.

SALVATION BY JESUS CHRIST IS UNIVERSAL, BUT THE GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) SURROUNDING THE SALVATION CHANGES.
Salvation has always been through Jesus Christ ultimately because He alone is the Savior.
However, by rightly dividing the word of truth, Scripture shows that the revealed message surrounding salvation changed according to what God revealed during different dispensations.
Today, the gospel (good news) of salvation is clearly revealed through apostle Paul:

“how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
That is the gospel (good news) by which we are saved today.
But earlier in Scripture, the full revelation of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the saving message had not yet been revealed. Yet the Bible still used the word “gospel” (good news) concerning other good news being proclaimed at that time.
For example:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world…”
— Matthew 24:14
That was kingdom good news connected to Israel’s prophetic program.
Paul later speaks about:

“the gospel of the grace of God”
— Acts 20:24
and:

“the revelation of the mystery”
— Romans 16:25
Therefore, salvation is always through Jesus Christ, but the revealed gospel (good news) message surrounding that salvation changed according to God’s dispensational revelation.

THE GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) JESUS GAVE TO ISRAEL IS NOT THE SAME GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) JESUS CHRIST GAVE TO PAUL FOR THE GENTILES AND THE BODY OF CHRIST
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, His mission was directed toward Israel.

“I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
— Matthew 15:24
And He instructed the twelve:

“Go not into the way of the Gentiles…”
— Matthew 10:5
The message being proclaimed was:

“the gospel of the kingdom”
— Matthew 4:23
This was connected to Israel’s kingdom promises and prophetic program.
But later, the risen Jesus Christ revealed a different program to apostle Paul.
Paul wrote:

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 1:11–12
Paul also wrote:

“the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:”
— Ephesians 3:2
and:

“according to the revelation of the mystery”
— Romans 16:25
The gospel (good news) committed to Paul centers on the finished crosswork of Christ:

“how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Jesus’ earthly ministry focused on Israel and the kingdom program, while the risen Christ later revealed through Paul the mystery program for the Gentiles and the Body of Christ.

YOU CANNOT MIX AND MATCH BETWEEN GOSPELS (GOOD NEWS)
God commands believers to rightly divide the word of truth.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of truth.”
— 2 Timothy 2:15
Much confusion comes from mixing Israel’s kingdom program with Paul’s gospel (good news) of grace.
Jesus’ earthly ministry proclaimed:

“the gospel of the kingdom”
— Matthew 4:23
while Paul later preached:

“the gospel of the grace of God”
— Acts 20:24
Those are not identical gospel (good news) messages surrounding salvation.

When people combine different dispensational instructions and gospel (good news) messages together, they create confusion and contradictions.

Paul warned:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”
— Galatians 1:6
The believer today is instructed to stand in the gospel (good news) revealed for the Body of Christ to apostle Paul ONLY!

YOU CANNOT TWIST, ADD TO, OR PERVERT GOD’S GOSPELS (GOOD NEWS)
God takes His gospel (good news) seriously. Men are not given authority to alter it, add traditions to it, or corrupt it with human teachings.
Paul warned:

“Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
— Galatians 1:8
And again:

“there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:7
The danger is not only denying the gospel (good news) completely, but also corrupting it by adding requirements, changing its meaning, or mixing it with doctrines God did not place into it.
The gospel (good news) is not open for human modification.

THE GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) ABOUT SALVATION FOR GENTILES IS THE ONE GIVEN TO PAUL — AND THERE IS NO OTHER
Paul wrote:

“the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me”
— Galatians 2:7
And again:

“For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 1:12
The present gospel (good news) of salvation is the gospel (good news) revealed through apostle Paul:

“how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Paul warned that there is no other saving gospel (good news) for this dispensation.

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”
— Galatians 1:6
Salvation today is by faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ according to the gospel (good news) of the grace of God revealed through apostle Paul.

THE BOOKS OF MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN ARE CALLED “GOSPELS” (GOOD NEWS ACCOUNTS) BECAUSE THEY RECORD THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT WHO JESUS CHRIST IS AND DID.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are traditionally called “the Gospels” (good news accounts) because they record the good news concerning the earthly life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Those books absolutely testify of Christ and proclaim good news concerning Him. But the books themselves are not automatically the defined gospel (good news) of salvation for the Body of Christ simply because they are traditionally labeled “Gospels” (good news accounts).
The present gospel (good news) of salvation was later clearly defined through apostle Paul:

“how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
— 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Many people think merely knowing about Jesus or admiring His earthly ministry equals salvation. But Scripture teaches salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ according to the revealed gospel (good news) for this dispensation.

PAUL DEFENDS HIS: "MY GOSPEL" (GOOD NEWS) ONLY
Jesus Christ is the Savior, but Scripture also warns about false gospels (good news messages) and corrupted messages. The important thing to understand is that in Paul’s epistles, the warnings about “another gospel” are specifically connected to the gospel (good news) revealed and committed to Paul for the Body of Christ.
Paul repeatedly defends what he calls:

“my gospel”
— Romans 2:16
and again:

“my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery”
— Romans 16:25
Paul was not defending Noah’s message, Abraham’s message, Moses’ law program, or the gospel (good news) of the kingdom preached during Jesus’ earthly ministry to Israel. Paul was defending the gospel (good news) revealed directly to him by the risen Jesus Christ for Gentiles and the Body of Christ.
That is why Paul says:

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 1:11–12
So when Paul warns:

“Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
— Galatians 1:8
the context is Paul defending the gospel (good news) committed to him.
The issue is not that every gospel (good news) ever mentioned anywhere in Scripture is identical. The issue is that during this present dispensation of grace, there is no other saving gospel (good news) for Gentiles besides the one revealed through apostle Paul.
Paul’s warnings are specifically about corrupting, altering, or abandoning the gospel (good news) of the grace of God committed to him.
That is why Paul calls it:

“the gospel of the grace of God”
— Acts 20:24
and:

“my gospel”
— Romans 2:16
because he was the apostle chosen to receive and reveal that gospel (good news) for the Body of Christ.

JESUS CHRIST + THE CORRECT GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) = SALVATION
Jesus Christ is the Savior, but Scripture also warns about false gospels (good news messages) and corrupted messages.
Paul wrote:

“there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”
— Galatians 1:7
And:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…”
— Romans 1:16
Therefore:

JESUS CHRIST + THE CORRECT GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) = SALVATION
Not another gospel (good news).
Not a corrupted gospel (good news).
Not a mixed gospel (good news).
Not a man-made gospel (good news).
But faith in Jesus Christ according to the gospel (good news) of the grace of God revealed through apostle Paul.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel… by which also ye are saved…”
— 1 Corinthians 15:1–2

WHAT’S DISPENSATIONAL BIBLE STUDY?
BEHOLD THE CONFUSION: RELIGIOUS TRADITION
By: Shawn Brasseaux, administrator of “arC Ministries” (ambassadors for the risen Christ Ministries)


Have you ever wondered why there is so much confusion and debate among and within “Christian” circles and churches? These professing Christians all quote the Bible, they all claim to believe the Bible, and yet, it is quite a surprise to learn that they all disagree regarding what the Bible actually teaches! All 38,000-plus denominations in Christendom claim to be serving and following “Jesus Christ,” and yet, they all believe mutually exclusive doctrines and practice opposing rites and rituals. How can they all be following Jesus Christ while all doing different things?! The Church the Body of Christ is supposed to be united; nevertheless, schisms, strife, and contradictions abound. Why?

Let me give you some of the most popular examples of the literally thousands of major arguments in Christendom:

* Many churches believe that faith and works are necessary for salvation, quoting Matthew 19:17 and James 2:24; the remainder of churches believe that salvation is by faith alone, using Romans 3:28, Romans 4:5, and Ephesians 2:8,9.

* Some groups believe that water baptism is necessary for salvation, relying on Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21; others hold that it is merely a testimony of salvation, citing Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38; still others do not water baptize at all, relying on 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Corinthians 12:13, and Ephesians 4:5.

* Some churches participate in “snake handling,” “devil exorcism,” “tongue talking” and “healing services,” citing Mark 16:17,18 and James 5:15; others completely reject those practices, quoting Romans 8:18, 1 Timothy 5:23, and 2 Timothy 4:20.

* Some churches argue that we must observe the Saturday Sabbath, citing Exodus 20:8-11, while others believe there is no Sabbath day to keep today, quoting Romans 6:14 and Colossians 2:16. (There are even groups that argue that we must observe Sunday, the alleged “Christian Sabbath!”)

* Some groups teach that Christians can lose their salvation, following Psalm 51:11, Matthew 24:13, and Hebrews 6:4-6; other groups believe Christians are eternally secure in Christ, relying on Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 4:30, and 2 Timothy 1:12.

* Some churches teach tithing, according to Malachi 3:8-11, while other churches believe that we are not under an obligatory giving system, citing Romans 6:14 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.

* Some argue that we should confess our sins to God daily, quoting Matthew 6:12,14,15 and 1 John 1:9. Other groups believe that we should confess our sins to priests, using John 20:23 and James 5:16. Still, others believe that confession of sins is unnecessary because Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and we are already forgiven of all of our sins, citing Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 2:13.

* Some groups say we are bound to keep the Mosaic Law, using Exodus 20:1-17 and 1 John 2:3,4, while others say we are under grace, not law, citing Romans 6:14 and Galatians 5:1-5.

Amazing huh? All of these groups are using Bible verses to support these opposing views!! How is this possible?! If the Bible has all of these conflicting views, then exactly what does God expect us to believe?! What is the solution to this abounding confusion and these so-called Bible “contradictions?”

Firstly, understand that “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). The problem is not God’s Word; God’s Word is infallible, perfect, and completely sound. Sinful mankind and Satan, NOT God, are to blame for the gross theological errors and false teaching in Christendom. Never, ever blame God for the confusion that Satan and mankind generate using religious tradition and human “wisdom.”

If people would simply use the Bible God’s way, all of the doctrinal confusion in Christian circles would disappear. Alas, people prefer their religious tradition, so they do not care to submit to God’s Word. The Lord Jesus Christ rebuked the religious leaders of His day:

“Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition“ (Mark 7:9 KJV).

These people approach God’s Word with denominational biases and reach denominational conclusions, instead of seeing what the Bible actually said and to whom it said it. What makes it all the more disturbing is that the pastors and teachers who should be dispelling confusion and doubt are only adding to the preexisting confusion by failing to use God’s Word God’s way themselves. These church leaders only teach God’s Word as their denominational system interprets it, instead of letting the Bible’s testimony speak for itself and mean what it says, where it says it, and to whom it says it.

BEHOLD THE SOLUTION: 2 TIMOTHY 2:15

If we use God’s Word, God’s way, there will be no contradictions and no confusion. The Bible will only make sense to you if you approach it the way God designed it to be studied (that is “rightly divided”). Read what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15, as found in the King James Bible:

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

The only verse in the Bible that tells you to “study” the Bible tells you how to study it. When you “rightly divide the word of truth,” you are recognizing the distinctions/divisions that God has made in His Word. Through various dispensations (sets of directions), God gave different instructions to various groups of people. (For instance, compare the differing diets that God gave in Genesis 1:27-29, Genesis 9:1-4, Leviticus 11:2, and 1 Timothy 4:3-5.) We must be careful to never insert directions into the dispensations in which they were never given.

Confusion results when we combine all of the Bible’s instructions as though they were spoken to one group of people. There are several dispensations in Scripture given to different people at various times and we must never confuse them. It is this very failure to rightly divide the word of truth that gives rise to all of the conflicting doctrines (what we discussed in our introductory remarks).

Let us now discuss the basics of “rightly dividing the word of truth.”

THE TWO PROGRAMS IN GOD’S WORD

Genesis 1:1 KJV, the first verse in the Bible, reads: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God divides the heaven from the earth. (This is true even at the end of the Bible, in Revelation 21:1.) Furthermore, God has designed one program to operate in each of these realms. There are two programs in the Bible: the “prophetic program” and the “mystery program.”

The Apostle Peter says in Acts 3:21 KJV that he is preaching that “which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 16:25,26a KJV that he is preaching…

“according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest….”

Obviously, if words mean anything, Peter and Paul are speaking of two different things. Something “spoken since the world began” cannot be the same as something “kept secret since the world began.”

The prophetic program focuses on the nation Israel and an earthly kingdom (Exodus 19:5,6; Deuteronomy 4:20), where Gentiles (non-Jews) receive salvation through that kingdom (Isaiah 60:1-3).

On the other hand, the mystery program focuses on the Church the Body of Christ and a heavenly kingdom (Ephesians 2:6,7; Ephesians 1:22-23), where Gentiles receive salvation without Israel’s kingdom (Romans 11:11,12,25). Surely, if we are to avoid confusion, we must keep those two programs and their respective directions separated (“rightly divided”).

Sadly, most of Christendom combines all of these Bible verses into one program, ignoring the differences between the program that involves Israel’s kingdom and the mystery program that does not involve Israel’s kingdom. Again, this haphazard handling of the Bible is the source of the spiritual confusion and the alleged Bible “contradictions.” They are mixing opposing directions God gave in different dispensations (these directions were not given in the same dispensation).

Today, the Apostle Paul writes that the prophetic program that was operating in the “Old Testament,” the Four Gospels, and the early Acts period is temporarily suspended.

We are currently living in the “Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2), the mystery program, which the Lord kept secret in the Old Testament but has since revealed it to mankind through the ministry of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:25,26; Ephesians 3:1-11). Why did God hide it prior to Paul? It was to keep the devil from knowing His entire plan, so Satan could crucify Jesus Christ, and thereby would actually defeat himself (1 Corinthians 2:6-8)!

WHOM SHOULD WE FOLLOW TODAY?

It is often mistakenly assumed that we need to “follow Jesus” (that is, the red letters of the Four Gospels). Yet, when we consider the Scriptures, this makes no sense whatsoever. Can we sinners follow the sinless Lord Jesus Christ? OF COURSE NOT!

Romans 11:13 KJV says that Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles.” As previously stated, the ascended Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul alone “the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25,26), His secret (mystery) program to deal with the whole world (Jews and Gentiles) on the basis of grace and Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary.

On the other hand, the Lord Jesus Christ ministered to Jews only in Matthew through John (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24; John 4:22; Romans 15:8). Jesus had no ministry to us Gentiles because He had to save Israel first! It is not until we come to Paul’s ministry when God begins to deal with Gentiles. This is one basic fact of Scripture that most church members have never been told.

Jesus Christ urged His followers to obey the Mosaic Law, and commanded them to teach others to do the same (Matthew 5:17-19).

Contrariwise, God through Paul tells us, “ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14,15).

Obviously, we cannot follow both of these instructions. We cannot follow Jesus’ earthly ministry because we are not Jews. Furthermore,…

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Corinthians 5:16).

We do not know Jesus Christ after His earthly ministry (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Rather, we follow Him according to His heavenly ministry (as He is revealed in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon).

God set forth Paul to be our “pattern” as to how we receive salvation (1 Timothy 1:15,16). In addition, Paul writes,…

“Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

In the Christian life, we follow Paul as he follows Christ. In Paul’s epistles alone we find the doctrine, duty, walk, and destiny of the Church the Body of Christ. Paul is God’s spokesman to you, just as Moses was God’s spokesman to Israel. If you want to learn what God has to say to you today, you must go to Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. To reject Paul is to reject Christ who sent Paul to you, and to reject Christ is to reject God the Father (Matthew 10:40; John 13:20). Paul wrote:

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).

The test for spirituality today is NOT following Jesus in His earthly ministry, but obeying what God the Holy Spirit says today through the Apostle Paul.

YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE AS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST

We are not the nation Israel, for in our dispensation, Israel is temporarily “fallen,” “cast away,” and “spiritually blinded” (Romans 11:11,15,25). We Christians are members of the Church the Body of Christ, where there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 1:22,23). What God has to say to us is different from what He told the nation Israel in the “Old Testament,” the Four Gospels, and the early part of Acts. It is important to understand how your Christian life operates as a non-Israelite, as a Gentile living in the Dispensation of the Grace of God and a member of the Church the Body of Christ. If you want to be spiritually “edified” (“strengthened”) and spiritually “perfected” (“matured”), you need to study and believe the Pauline epistles of Romans through Philemon (Ephesians 4:12).

God wants to “stablish” (stabilize) your Christian life and inner man by using a three-fold process. God wants you to understand the life that He has given to you in Christ Jesus, so that you can better understand what He is doing today, and then you can, by faith, follow Him and do the same. This is how we discover and do God’s will for our lives. The Bible says in Romans 16:25,26 KJV:

“25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”

Notice the three-fold process of Christian edification:

* “my gospel“—Paul’s Gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, is the foundation of the Christian life

* “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery“—this is Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, the sound doctrine (building materials) which we use to build on that foundation

* “the scriptures of the prophets“—this is all of the Holy Scriptures, in light of the doctrine revealed to Paul.

This is why studying the Bible rightly divided is so important. We study all of the Bible, Genesis through Revelation, but we follow the design of Christian edification as laid out in Romans 16:25,26. If we refuse to follow the dispensational layout of Scripture, and most people do refuse it, then we will be going against what God is doing today, and our Christian lives will be in shambles (which is why Christendom is in such pitiful shape!).

DO WE ONLY STUDY PAUL’S EPISTLES? (NO!)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). All of the Bible is God’s Word, so we study all 66 books of the King James Bible (Genesis to Revelation). But, unlike most churches and professing Christians, we study the entire Bible ACCORDING to the “revelation of the mystery,” (in light of the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon).
All of the Bible is for us, but not all of the Bible is to us and not all of the Bible is about us (remember, most of the Bible is written to and is about the nation Israel, not us). We follow God’s design for Christian edification, and we seek God’s approval, not man’s approval (2 Timothy 2:15).

When studying a particular Bible passage, you first need to establish the following, in this order:

1. who is writing/speaking,

2. to whom are they writing, and

3. what are they writing.

Again, keep in mind that Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon are what God has to say to you, and the rest of the Bible deals with another program, Israel’s program. If Paul does not instruct you to do it, then God does not expect you to practice it in your life.

WHY HAVE I NOT HEARD THIS BEFORE?

Are you shocked by what you have just read? Does the Bible make more sense now? So, why have you never heard this before? I would strongly suggest that you ask your pastor, Bible teacher, or priest why he never told you any of this. You might be surprised at his answer!

Study the Word…Stand in Grace ♥️😊

THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE

One of the most important truths in understanding the Bible is realizing this:

God does not deal with mankind the exact same way in every age.

That does NOT mean God changes.
It means His dealings,
administrations,
and revealed instructions unfold according to His purpose and timing.

Paul calls the present administration:

“the dispensation of the grace of God.”

Ephesians 3:1-2 KJV says:

“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:”

Notice those words carefully.

“The dispensation of the grace of God.”

A dispensation is an administration,
a stewardship,
a divine management entrusted by God.

And Paul says this dispensation was:
“given ME to YOU-ward.”

That means something specific was committed to Paul for the Gentiles.

This is not Paul inventing a new religion.

This is Christ revealing a new administration of grace through Paul’s apostleship.

Many people become uncomfortable with the word “dispensation,”
yet the word is directly in the Bible.

The issue is not whether dispensations exist.
The issue is whether believers are willing to believe what the verses actually say.

Under the present dispensation,
God is not dealing with mankind through Israel’s covenant program.

Today, salvation is offered freely by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.

No national distinction.
No covenant superiority.
No law-keeping requirements for justification.

Why?

Because God is now revealing the riches of His grace through the Body of Christ.

Paul explains this further in Colossians 1:25 KJV:

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;”

Again notice:
“given to ME for YOU.”

Paul repeatedly emphasizes that a stewardship was committed specifically to him.

And what was included in this dispensation?

The revelation of the Mystery.
The gospel of the grace of God.
Jew and Gentile in one Body.
Salvation apart from works.
The heavenly position of the believer in Christ.

Truths hidden in ages past,
but revealed through Paul.

This is why Acts 20:24 becomes so important.

Paul says:

“But none of these things move me...

so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Notice carefully:
“received of the Lord Jesus.”

Paul’s ministry was not man-made.

Christ Himself entrusted Paul with the ministry of:
“the gospel of the grace of God.”

That phrase matters.

Because grace becomes the defining atmosphere of this dispensation.

Not law.
Not ceremonial ordinances.
Not temple worship.
Not kingdom signs.

Grace.

Pure grace.

This is why Romans 11:6 says:

“And if by grace, then is it no more of works...”

The present dispensation reveals salvation resting completely upon Christ’s finished work.

And this changes how believers understand the Christian life.

Many people today still try to place believers under systems that belong to Israel’s prophetic program.

They mix law with grace.
Works with faith.
Earthly kingdom promises with heavenly Body truths.

But when you recognize the dispensation of grace,
the Scriptures begin to open with clarity.

You begin to see why Paul speaks differently about:
justification,
the Body of Christ,
Spirit baptism,
the Mystery,
heavenly hope,
and grace apart from works.

This does not mean the Old Testament is unimportant.

It means Scripture must be rightly divided.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God... rightly dividing the word of truth.”

God’s Word is true,
but not every instruction is written directly TO the Body of Christ doctrinally.

Paul becomes the apostle through whom Christ reveals the present dispensation.

That is why Paul repeatedly says:
“my gospel,”
“my doctrine,”
“my preaching,”
and “the dispensation given unto me.”

Not because Paul replaced Christ,
but because Christ chose Paul as the steward of this present revelation.

And what a glorious dispensation it is.

A dispensation where salvation is freely offered through faith in Christ alone.

Where believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Where Jew and Gentile become one Body in Christ.

Where the believer stands complete in Him.

Where grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life.

This is the dispensation of grace.

Not earned.
Not deserved.
Not purchased through human effort.

A divine administration centered completely upon the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.