RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE SCRIPTURES
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
In Galatians 1:3 and 4 we read of “this present evil age.” In Ephesians 2:7, we read of “the ages to come.” In Ephesians 3:5 we read of “the other ages” (past ages). All Christians speak of “the Old Testament Age” and “the New Testament Age.”
In Ephesians 3:5 and in Colossians 1:24 to 26, we learn that the people of God in the ages before Paul, including their inspired prophets, did not have foreknowledge of God’s spiritual program during this present dispensation of grace. (Ephesians 3:1 to 4). In these verses we learn that Paul did not, and could not, know God’s present program by studying Israel’s Scriptures. Paul did not learn it from what Christ on earth taught the twelve apostles. (Galatians 1:11 to 19 - Galatians 2:1 to 7). It was truth never before revealed even to the most faithful and the most spiritual servants of the Lord. Therefore, Paul wrote of the unsearchable (untraceable) riches of Christ, God’s eternal purpose. (Ephesians 3:8 to 11). Paul received it by direct revelation from Christ in heaven. It was new truth for a new age for a new dispensation, a new program, called “God’s eternal purpose.” (Ephesians 3:11). It had to do with the making of “One New Man”, (Ephesians 2:15); made up of Christ and new creatures in Christ. (II Corinthians 5:17).
As this was not contemplated by Israel’s ancient prophets and as it was not the program which the Lord Jesus gave to Peter and the Eleven (Acts 2:16), and as Christians are now members of the Body of Christ, all Body members should study, interpret, appropriate and apply all other Scriptures in the light of the “Body” truth which the risen Christ revealed to the apostle Paul. This is indeed the golden key which the Holy Spirit has for those who will obey II Timothy 2:15 and Ephesians 3:9.
This is the meaning of II Timothy 2:15: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” “Rightly dividing” is translated from “orthotomeo” - “ortho” means “right” - “tomeo” means “to cut,” “to dissect.” The Greek word in Hebrews 4:12 refers to the word “SHARPER” than a sword. To cut aright God’s Word, certainly means to compare spiritual with spiritual, and more. (I Corinthians 2:10 to 16).
During the Old Testament age, or dispensation, God’s people had “meats, drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation.” (Hebrews 9:10). These belonged to Israel’s “shadow” days (Hebrews 10:1 to 10 - Colossians 2:13 to 18). The time of reformation had come when Christ revealed His new program of Ephesians 3:1 to 6 to Paul.
Israel had the seventh day sabbath. They could eat no pork. They worshipped God in a portable tabernacle and a Jerusalem Temple. They practiced physical circumcision. They had earthly priests and many religious feast days. None of these ceremonies, which had a God-given place in a former age, has a place in this age, for we are not under the law, we are under grace (Romans 6:14). The Temple now is made up of redeemed sinners baptized into the Body of Christ, with the spiritual circumcision of Philippians 3:1 to 3. Read Ephesians 2:19 to 22.
As the Lord Jesus Christ, as Jesus of Nazareth on this earth, was under the law, He did not live under this present dispensation of grace which He revealed after He ascended far above all heavens and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:10 to 13).
Christians should cut aright the Word of truth by studying the earthly ministry of Christ in the light of the truth of Romans, Ephesians, Galatians, Colossians and other “grace” Epistles.
The “Acts” ministry of the twelve apostles, the signs of Mark 16:16 to 18 and the sign gifts of I Corinthians 12:8 to 11 should be studied in the light of the revelation of the mystery mentioned in Romans 16:25, in the light of different gifts in Ephesians 4:9 to 13. In advancing from the truth of the one Body in I Corinthians 12:13 to the truth of the same one Body in Ephesians and Colossians Paul was going from a child to a man. (I Corinthians 13:8 to 13).
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
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