This web blog and the focus of our teaching is dispensational in nature. We believe all of the Bible is for us, but not all of the Bible is to us. As such, we also focus on the Apostle Paul who was called to be the Apostle of the Gentiles, and it is in his writings that we find specific instructions for us today as revealed to Paul by the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
Like Moses and all the prophets in the "Old Testament" who had a specific message to the Nation of Israel, God gave the Apostle Paul a specific message to the Gentiles and Jews during this present dispensation, called the Revelation of the Mystery (Rom. 16:25). This particular teaching is based on "rightly dividing" the Word of Truth — whereby we can, without fail, find exactly where we are in God's plan for mankind and eternity.
We live in a most wonderful time! God, in the sacrificial death of Christ at the cross, has provided for all mankind, without distinction, the opportunity to secure one's own personal salvation — by grace alone! It is a personal decision that has eternal repercussion. God is willing that none perish, and He is long suffering toward that end. What does I Corinthians 4:16 mean and how does this truth apply to the Church which is His Body?
"Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me." Does Paul really mean we are to follow him? Precisely. These are the very words that God inspired Paul to write. It is not Paul's idea that people should follow him, but God's. Why does God want people to follow Paul? It is because God has raised up Paul and made him the apostle to the Gentiles. Before Paul, the Gentiles did not have an apostle. God's attention was directed to Israel ever since God called Abraham out of Chaldea. Not only did God raise up Paul, but he gave him a brand new gospel for the whole world, for Jew and Gentile alike. The instructions for believers in the church, the Body of Christ are found only in the Pauline epistles. The church can learn many truths and important lessons from any part of the Bible, but Paul's epistles are for the Church, the Body.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: but not all scripture is directed to the church the body of Christ for genuine growth in Christ UNLESS IT IS RIGHTLY DIVIDED. Your comments encouraged...KMS-LTM
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The problem with the Church which is the Body of Christ today is a failure to "rightly divide the word of truth." If preachers today would follow the teachings of the Apostle to the Gentiles, the church would be in unity. Paul tells us about that unity in Ephesians. I have started a blog titled, "Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth," and I encourage those who have questions about this topic to post. I live in North Carolina, and it is nice to see fellow believers out on the west coast also. I know of those who share our understanding of the scripture who live in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tenn. Fight the good fight.
In Christ,
Kevin
Here is the link to my blog
http://2-timothy-2-15.blogspot.com/
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