Rightly Dividing Scripture: Understanding Grace and Context

Devotional

Day 1: Rightly Dividing the Word of God

Understanding the distinctiveness of different parts of Scripture is crucial for accurate interpretation. The Gospels and early chapters of Acts focus on the kingdom of heaven offered to Israel, while Paul's epistles reveal the Gospel of Grace for the church. This distinction helps avoid confusion and misinterpretation. By recognizing these divisions, we can better understand God's plan and how it unfolds through different dispensations. This approach allows us to apply Scripture more accurately to our lives today, ensuring that we are living in accordance with God's current revelation for the church.

[19:42]

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

Reflection: How can you begin to practice "rightly dividing" the Word of God in your daily Bible study? What steps will you take to ensure you understand the context and audience of the passages you read?

Day 2: The Importance of Context

Biblical interpretation requires understanding the context in which Scripture was written. For example, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are part of the law of the kingdom offered to Israel, not directly applicable to the church today. Proper context leads to accurate application. By studying the historical, cultural, and literary context of a passage, we can avoid misinterpretations and heretical doctrines. This approach helps us to see the Bible as a cohesive narrative that reveals God's redemptive plan through different covenants and dispensations.

[23:47]

Nehemiah 8:8 (ESV): "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading."

Reflection: Think of a Bible passage you have read recently. How can understanding its historical and cultural context change your interpretation and application of that passage?

Day 3: The Role of Paul

Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, and his epistles are essential for understanding the dispensation of grace. Unlike the Gospel of the Kingdom, Paul's Gospel emphasizes salvation by faith through grace alone, without the requirement of works like repentance and baptism. This distinction is vital for avoiding confusion and misinterpretation of Scripture. By focusing on Paul's teachings, we can better understand the unique aspects of the church age and how we are to live under the dispensation of grace.

[32:29]

Ephesians 3:8-9 (ESV): "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things."

Reflection: How does understanding Paul's unique role as the apostle to the Gentiles change your perspective on the New Testament and your own faith journey?

Day 4: The Transition in Acts

The book of Acts is a transitional book, moving from the Gospel of the Kingdom to the Gospel of Grace. The early chapters focus on Peter and the Jewish church, while the latter chapters highlight Paul's ministry to the Gentiles. Recognizing this transition is key to understanding the New Testament. This shift marks the postponement of the kingdom offered to Israel and the establishment of the church, the body of Christ. By understanding this transition, we can better grasp the development of early Christian theology and practice.

[34:09]

Acts 13:46-47 (ESV): "And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, 'It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."'"

Reflection: How does recognizing the transitional nature of Acts help you understand the development of the early church and its mission? How can this understanding impact your own approach to ministry and evangelism?

Day 5: The New Testament's True Beginning

The New Testament did not begin with Matthew 1 but with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This understanding clarifies many doctrinal issues and helps us avoid pulling Old Testament teachings into the church age, which leads to confusion and incorrect doctrines. By recognizing that the New Testament era began with Jesus' sacrificial death, we can better understand the new covenant of grace and how it differs from the old covenant of the law. This perspective helps us to live in the freedom and grace that Jesus provided through His finished work on the cross.

[45:02]

Hebrews 9:16-17 (ESV): "For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive."

Reflection: How does understanding the true beginning of the New Testament change your view of the Gospels and the teachings of Jesus? How can this perspective help you live more fully in the grace of the new covenant?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to this Sunday morning Bible study. Today, I want to share my journey through the book of Acts and how it has profoundly changed my understanding of biblical interpretation. Over the past year and a half, I've delved deeply into the fundamentals of Bible interpretation, which has led me to explore the differences between covenant theology and dispensational theology. This journey has been transformative, challenging my previous beliefs and leading me to a more consistent approach to interpreting Scripture.

I began my ministry journey as a young Marine in Okinawa, Japan, where I felt the Lord calling me into vocational ministry. After a knee injury ended my military career, I enrolled in Bible college and began a lifelong journey of studying and teaching the Word of God. My ministry has taken me from independent fundamental Baptist churches to Calvary Chapel, and even to international missions in Guatemala and Peru. Each of these experiences has shaped my understanding of Scripture and ministry.

One of the key insights I've gained is the importance of rightly dividing the Word of God. This means recognizing the distinctiveness of different parts of Scripture and understanding their specific contexts. For example, the Gospels and the early chapters of Acts focus on the kingdom of heaven, which was offered to the nation of Israel. This kingdom was postponed after Israel's rejection of their Messiah, leading to the birth of the church, the body of Christ, which is where we find ourselves today.

Paul's epistles are crucial for understanding the dispensation of grace under which we currently live. Unlike the Gospel of the Kingdom, which required repentance and baptism, the Gospel of Grace, revealed to Paul, emphasizes salvation by faith through grace alone. This distinction is vital for avoiding confusion and misinterpretation of Scripture.

As we continue this study, I encourage you to read the Gospels and Acts with fresh eyes, understanding that the New Testament did not begin until after the death and resurrection of Jesus. This perspective will help us rightly divide the Word and apply it accurately to our lives today.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Rightly Dividing the Word of God: Understanding the distinctiveness of different parts of Scripture is crucial. The Gospels and early Acts focus on the kingdom of heaven offered to Israel, while Paul's epistles reveal the Gospel of Grace for the church. This distinction helps avoid confusion and misinterpretation. [19:42]
2. The Importance of Context: Biblical interpretation requires understanding the context in which Scripture was written. For example, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 are part of the law of the kingdom offered to Israel, not directly applicable to the church today. Proper context leads to accurate application. [23:47]
3. The Role of Paul: Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, and his epistles are essential for understanding the dispensation of grace. Unlike the Gospel of the Kingdom, Paul's Gospel emphasizes salvation by faith through grace alone, without the requirement of works like repentance and baptism. [32:29]
4. The Transition in Acts: The book of Acts is a transitional book, moving from the Gospel of the Kingdom to the Gospel of Grace. The early chapters focus on Peter and the Jewish church, while the latter chapters highlight Paul's ministry to the Gentiles. Recognizing this transition is key to understanding the New Testament. [34:09]
5. The New Testament's True Beginning: The New Testament did not begin with Matthew 1 but with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This understanding clarifies many doctrinal issues and helps us avoid pulling Old Testament teachings into the church age, which leads to confusion and incorrect doctrines. [45:02]
### [45:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:27] - Introduction to the Study of Acts
[02:52] - My Ministry Journey
[04:01] - Transition from Military to Ministry
[07:11] - International Missions and Teaching
[09:12] - Current Ministry and Bible Study Plans
[10:48] - Fundamentals of Bible Interpretation
[11:25] - Two Lenses of Scripture Interpretation
[13:17] - Covenant vs. Dispensational Theology
[14:11] - No Private Interpretation of Scripture
[15:36] - The Importance of Absolute Truth
[17:07] - Correct Interpretation Leads to Correct Application
[18:39] - The Principle of Rightly Dividing
[19:42] - Divisions in the Bible
[21:25] - The Law of the Kingdom
[23:47] - Jewish Messiah and Jewish Kingdom
[24:50] - The Rejection and Postponement of the Kingdom
[26:34] - Misinterpretations and Heretical Doctrines
[27:58] - Proof Texts and Doctrinal Confusion
[29:43] - The Importance of Rightly Dividing
[30:13] - Written For Us, Not To Us
[32:29] - Paul's Distinctive Role
[34:09] - The Transitional Nature of Acts
[35:17] - National Repentance and the Kingdom
[37:14] - The Gospel of the Kingdom vs. The Gospel of Grace
[39:05] - The True Beginning of the New Testament
[41:11] - The Mediator of the New Testament
[45:02] - The Testament Requires the Death of the Testator
[47:39] - Paul's Gospel of Grace
[49:13] - Resources for Further Study
[50:14] - Closing Remarks and Encouragement

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does 2 Timothy 2:15 emphasize about the approach to studying Scripture? How does this relate to the concept of "rightly dividing the word of truth"? [19:12]
According to 2 Peter 1:19-20, what is the significance of prophecy in Scripture, and how should it be interpreted? [14:11]
In Hebrews 9:15-17, what is required for a testament to be in effect, and how does this relate to the New Testament? [45:02]
How does the sermon describe the transition in the book of Acts from the Gospel of the Kingdom to the Gospel of Grace? [34:09]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to understand the context in which different parts of Scripture were written, as emphasized in the sermon? How does this help in avoiding misinterpretation? [17:07]
How does the distinction between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of Grace affect our understanding of salvation and the requirements for it? [30:48]
What role does Paul play in the dispensation of grace, and why is his ministry considered distinct from that of the other apostles? [32:29]
How does recognizing the true beginning of the New Testament after the death and resurrection of Jesus clarify doctrinal issues? [45:02]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current approach to Bible study. How can you ensure that you are "rightly dividing the word of truth" in your personal study time? [19:12]
Think about a time when you may have taken a Scripture out of context. How did it affect your understanding or application of that passage? What steps can you take to avoid this in the future? [17:07]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinctiveness of Paul's epistles. How can you incorporate this understanding into your daily reading and application of Scripture? [32:29]
How does the concept of the New Testament beginning after Jesus' death and resurrection change your perspective on the teachings of the Gospels? How might this influence your interpretation of Jesus' words and actions? [45:02]
The sermon discusses the transition in the book of Acts. How can recognizing this transition help you better understand the development of the early church and its teachings? [34:09]
How can you apply the principle of "no private interpretation" in your discussions and studies with others to ensure a more accurate understanding of Scripture? [14:11]
Consider the differences between covenant theology and dispensational theology as discussed in the sermon. How do these perspectives influence your view of God's plan and your role in it? [13:17]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The Bible means what it means. And it says what it says, period. And that's the way that we have to see it. Not a very popular idea. For sure. However, when it comes to biblical interpretation, we can both be wrong, but, but we can't really both be right." [15:55] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I tell young people all the time, you not only need to know what you believe, but you need to know why, why you believe it. And most people don't know that. Today, when you, when you talk to people, and you ask them about the Bible, they just parakeet to you what they were taught. And that's why, when hard times come, so many of them fall away." [20:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We need to know, and that is an experiential knowledge. I know because I know, because I've studied it. I know it for myself. It's my truth. You know, it's not just your truth. I can't live on your truth, and you can't live on my truth. Of course, there's only one truth, but we need to find that truth, individually, in order for us to be anchored in our walks and our faith with the Lord." [21:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "A faith untested is no faith at all. For example, when you read the law of the kingdom in Matthew chapter number five, you know in Matthew chapter number five, he starts out, you know, and he says, and he opened his mouth and he taught them saying, blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." [22:14] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Always remember that God loves you and He wants the best for you and He's working all things out for your good. Thank you for being with me today." [50:14] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The Bible must be rightly divided in order for it to make sense and never contradict. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy, chapter 2, verse number 15, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Now, the very fact that Paul said, rightly divide, presupposes that there are divisions in the Bible." [19:12] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The gospel of the kingdom required repentance and baptism. The gospel of grace does not. Because repentance and baptism are basically works. We're saved by faith through grace, not of works lest any man should boast. The apostle Paul never said repent and be baptized but believe and thou shalt be saved." [30:48] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles. It was to Paul that the mystery of the church was revealed. That mystery was not revealed to the apostles of Christ. They were to the twelve, counting Judas, and then of course he was replaced by Matthias. The gospel of the mystery or the gospel of grace was exclusively revealed to Paul." [32:59] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The New Covenant could not have been offered until after the, the death of the testator, which would have been, at the end of the gospels, the resurrection, going into Acts. And we'll talk about the rest later. But I encourage you, I have a lot of resources online, if you just want to keep studying." [48:41] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The Bible says in 2 Peter chapter 1, in verse number 19. If you want, you can turn there. 2 Peter 1, 19 through 20. We have also a more sure word of prophecy. Whereinto ye do well that you take heed, as into a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts, knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation." [14:11] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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