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Long teaching like these are not really appropriate for a forum in which discussions are promoted.  So I avoid reading them.   They are boring to me and usually void of the Holy Spirit Who keeps me riveted to an inspired teaching.  

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3 hours ago, Willa said:

Long teaching like these are not really appropriate for a forum in which discussions are promoted.  So I avoid reading them.   They are boring to me and usually void of the Holy Spirit Who keeps me riveted to an inspired teaching.  

Thank and praise God that we're not all exactly the same. Suit yourself but you felt the urge to voice you OPINION here, so you get mine. These lessons are all based on scripture, so you can stick to your methods of study and others can choose to read these posts. Nobody is forced to read these, adults can decide for themselves. Over 1,00o views means you're not the only one here. God Bless !!!

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On 4/17/2018 at 6:37 PM, patrick jane said:

Are We Under Any Covenants?

By Justin Johnson - Are We Under Any Covenants?

When the Bible speaks of covenants in the specific sense, it is speaking of the covenants given to God’s chosen nation Israel. No one today in the dispensation of Grace is a partaker of the covenants which are made between Israel and God.

Hebrews 8:7 speaks of the first covenant and the second covenant given to Israel. The first covenant describes the Law as given to Israel at Horeb:

“The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.” – Deuteronomy 5:2

The second covenant, or ‘better covenant’, is the ‘new covenant’ also given to Israel (Heb 8:13, 12:24).

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord;…” – Hebrews 8:10

And again in Jeremiah:

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:” – Jeremiah 31:31

Knowing that the covenants were given to Israel and Judah, Paul stated concerning his brethren according to the flesh, Israel,

“…to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;…” Romans 9:4

Gentiles and the Body of Christ

The covenants were between God and Israel regarding their future redemption as spoken of by the prophets since the world began. However, Gentiles in time past as well as those in the body of Christ today are not a part of the covenants.

Paul says,

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:” – Ephesians 2:12

In order for a Gentile in time past to get the blessings of God they had to follow the provisions of the covenant. (See “Did Gentiles in the Old Testament get saved?” for more.) However, they were estranged from the covenants given to Israel.

During the dispensation of Grace, believers receive the benefits of the redemptive work of Christ on the cross outside of any covenant relationship. It was purely by God’s grace that we receive eternal life and the blessings associated with salvation. Otherwise grace would not be grace (Romans 11:6).

Today there is neither Jew nor Gentile. There is no special status before God for any nation today.

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” – Romans 11:32

Instead of a covenant providing the necessary terms of redemption, believers today are of the same body and partakers of the promise in Christ by the gospel of the grace of God (Eph 3:6, Titus 1:2-3). We receive the mercy and the grace of God apart from our adherence to any covenant given in time past, we receive it by faith (Romans 5:1, 8-10).

 

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Published: Tuesday, February 21st, 2006

Last Modified: March 29, 2016

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  1. -Without Israel, Without Covenants, Without the Law
    -Written in Their Hearts
    -I Am Not a New Testament Christian
    -30 Reasons We do not Operate Under the New Testament
    -No More Strangers and Foreigners
    -A Strange Teaching on the New Testament
    -What Is the New Covenant / Testament?

30 Reasons We do not Operate Under the New Testament

 

By Justin Johnson  -  30 Reasons We do not Operate Under the New Testament

 

One common hindrance in understanding how to rightly divide the word of truth has been the generally wrong teaching about the New Covenant. The general understanding is that if we are not under the Old Testament then we must necessarily be under the New Testament.

 

This is not true.

There is a purpose separate from Israel’s covenants called the mystery of Christ (Eph 3:4, Col 4:3). The mystery of Christ is the keystone of what

 

God has been doing for the past two thousand years. The teaching that we are under Israel’s New Testament confuses God’s prophetic purpose in Christ with his mystery purpose in Christ.

No one on the planet today operates under Israel’s New Testament (NT). Below are a few reasons why.

  1. The NT was not a mystery. Descriptions of the NT are found in the law, the prophets, and the psalms. The prophetic nature of Israel’s new covenant contrasts the hidden nature of the fellowship of the mystery (Eph 3:9). The subject of the mystery can not be the subject of the prophesied NT.
  2. Jeremiah is a prophet of Israel. Jeremiah 31:31-34is the most popular NT verse in the prophets. Jeremiah was writing to Israel.
  3. Jeremiah said the NT would be made with the “house of Israel”. Jer 31:31 is clear that the new covenant is made with the “house of Israel, and with the House of Judah”.
  4. Hebrews says the NT would be made with the “house of Israel”. In case the prophecy was misunderstood, the NT fulfillment is explained in Heb 8:8-12. The NT was applied to Hebrews of the house of Israel and Judah.
  5. Paul did not write Hebrews. The operation of the church today is found in Paul’s writings. Hebrews speaks most about the New Testament. However, Paul most likely did not write Hebrews. There is ample evidence that Paul was not the author, most importantly, the internal evidence of Hebrews 2:3-4.
  6. There is no “house of Israel” in the body of Christ. As a nation, Israel has no spiritual standing with God in this present dispensation. They have been counted in unbelief just as the Gentiles (Rom 11:32). There is neither Jew nor Gentile in Christ (Gal 3:28).
  7. The church of this dispensation is not Israel. This fundamental dispensational truth implies that a covenant made with Israel was not made with the church called the Body of Christ.
  8. The first testament was not made with the Body of Christ. The church of this dispensation has never been under the Old Testament which was given to Israel also. We do not need a new covenant, we need free grace.
  9. The NT promised the forgiveness of Israel’s sins only. It never promised the forgiveness of the sins of all men (Mat 20:28, Mat 26:28). A gospel to “all men” was part of the mystery purpose of Christ (1 Tim 2:6).
  10. The NT pardon would be an honour before all the nations (Jer 33:8-9). When the NT forgiveness is given to Israel, the world will know and “they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.”
  11. Jesus’ blood was not limited to the NT. Jesus’ blood instituted the NT with Israel, however, his blood would also be preached to all men through the mystery of Christ. The same blood shed at one cross performed two purposes. There is no need to place the mystery saints under the NT.
  12. The Body of Christ did not exist during Jesus’ ministry to Israel. When Jesus spoke of the New Testament blood at the Passover meal the mystery had not yet been revealed (Mat 26:28). The New Testament blood is not Paul’s teaching of the blood of Christ.
  13. NT Israel will be gathered out of all countries (Eze 36:24). The church today does not have a country to be gathered into.
  14. The New Testament included a law. Most commentators will admit that the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:33 included a law. Though it was changed, it was still part of the covenant (Heb 7:12). The mystery of Christ teaches we are not under the law and are dead to the law (Rom 6:14, Rom 7:4).
  15. The NT law was written on their hearts. The NT differed from the OT in that the law was not only “in their mouths”, but it was “in their hearts” allowing them to do the law (Jer 31:33). The letter of the NT law was not written on stony hearts but soft hearts of flesh. In both the OT and the NT the letter of the law was present.
  16. The NT included the Spirit causing Israel to walk in God’s statutes (Eze 36:27). With the law written in their hearts, the supernatural empowerment by the Spirit would cause Israel to keep the judgments of God. This is not the Spirit’s ministry in this dispensation where we are instructed to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18).
  17. The NT included an “unction” whereby no one needed to be taught. Jeremiah and Hebrews explain that “they shall teach no more every man” (Jer 31:34). This anointing was tasted by the kingdom remnant in 1 John 2:20 and 1 John 2:27, but is not in operation today. The church today is in need of teachers who can rightly divide the word of truth.
  18. When the NT is fulfilled then all shall know the Lord (Jer 31:34). The fact that so few understand the gospel of the grace of God is evidence that the NT promises are not being fulfilled today. They will be fulfilled at Christ’s return to Earth with the remnant of Israel.
  19. The NT law could be broken. If those under the NT did “despite the Spirit of grace” then there remained no more sacrifice for sins (Heb 10:26-29).
  20. Gentiles were strangers of the covenants of promise (Eph 2:12). According to the NT, Jesus was a mediator for Israel of a better covenant based upon better promises (Heb 8:6). Gentiles were strangers from these covenants of promise. He mediates for us by his grace.
  21. Those under the NT are waiting for a city to come (Heb 13:14). The church today has no city to come to Earth (Rev 21:2-3). We are seated in heavenly places in Christ.
  22. Those under the NT wait for future grace and forgiveness (1 Peter 1:13). We have forgiveness appropriated now (Col 1:14. Eph 4:32). Being crucified with Christ, the body of the sins of the flesh are cut off from us (Col 2:11). The new covenant will take away the sins of Israel in the future (Rom 11:27).
  23. Those under the NT wait for future salvation (1 Pet 1:9). Peter taught that salvation would come from the Lord Jesus at his return (Acts 3:19). The believing remnant needed to endure to the end to be saved (Mark 13:13). We have a present possession of salvation (Rom 5:11). We have what they hope for, but this does not place us under their covenant.
  24. The NT resulted in dwelling in the land promised to Israel (Eze 36:28). The church today is not promised nor do they receive by grace any land on Earth. The NT was oriented around Israel’s earthly promises. We are not under the NT.
  25. We are able ministers of the NT not of the letter (2 Cor 3:6). Paul says we are able to minister. He does not make us priests of the NT kingdom. Neither does he place us under the letter of the NT and its promises. We are able to minister the NT concerning the more excellent ministry of the Spirit because we have been given the manifold wisdom of God (Eph 3:10). Paul ministers the NT in Romans 9-11. Paul teaches about the Spirit in Romans 8.
  26. We received the Spirit by the hearing of faith (Gal 3:3). We did not receive the Spirit through a promised covenant but by faith. Our faith is in the gospel of Christ. The Spirit seals our position in Christ. Under the NT the Spirit’s powerful signs followed those operating under it (Acts 10:46).
  27. The Body of Christ is under the headship of Christ, not under the NT. In Ephesians 1:10 Paul explains that the two purposes of God, in heaven and in earth, will be gathered together in one, in and under Christ. We who part of his heavenly purpose are not placed under the NT earthly purpose.
  28. Israel’s New Covenant is Fulfilled in the Future.Romans 11:25-27 says that the covenant between God and Israel for forgiveness of sins (the new covenant) will be fulfilled after the present dispensation. The NT is presently incomplete. It will be completed at Christ’s return. Our present position in Christ is complete (Col 2:10).
  29. If we are under the NT now, then God is still operating with the nation Israel. Since the NT was given to that nation, concerned that nation’s promises, and is fulfilled in that nation’s earthly kingdom.
  30. God has changed his operation. Since the fall of Israel and the revelation of the mystery, God has been offering grace and salvation to all men (Titus 2:11). This is not an expansion of the NT, it is a separate thing. If God is not fulfilling the covenant in this dispensation, then we cannot be under it.

The fellowship of the mystery is not the subject of either the old or the new testaments. It is not the subject of prophecy. The mystery of Christ is the keystone of what God has been doing for the past two thousand years.

 

Members of the body of Christ in this mystery dispensation are not under the prophetic new covenant made with Israel. Placing saints today under any of Israel’s covenants robs us of the riches of grace we have in Christ alone and usurps the promises to Israel.

It is important that we remain consistent in our stance regarding the distinction between prophecy and mystery if the mystery of Christ is ever to be popularly understood.

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I Am Not a New Testament Christian
 
I am not a new testament Christian. The Bible says I can’t be, nor can you.
 
Now, before I get secretly voted off the deacon board, let’s consider why being a new testament Christian is of such importance. No one would bat an eye if it was proclaimed that I was not an old testament Christian, but what makes a new testament Christian much different?
 
New Testament to Israel
 
It is said, “the old testament was for Israel, but the new testament is for the church.”
 
While it is true that the old testament was made with Israel, it would be wrong to say the new testament was made with the church.
 
The scripture cannot be clearer that the new testament was merely a replacement for the old made with the “house of Israel and with the house of Judah”.
 
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,…” – Hebrews 8:10 (quoting Jeremiah 31:33).
 
New Testament is not the Body of Christ
 
It is said, “If you are not in the new testament, how can you call yourself a Christian?”
 
The answer is realizing that Christ did more than mediate for the new testament made with Israel, he also created a new creature called the church, the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27).
 
While both of Israel’s testaments speak prophetically of Christ, neither one speaks of the mystery of Christ to create this new creature where there is neither Jew nor Gentile. The mystery of Christ was kept secret since the world began, which means it was not contained in the covenants of promise made with Israel (Eph 3:4-5).
 
The new testament does not explain the creation of the mystery church, but it does guarantee that Israel will not cease to be a nation, which has little relevance to the hope of the church today.
 
“If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.” – Jeremiah 31:36
 
New Testament is a Law Covenant
 
It is said, “The new testament is faith in Jesus Christ.”
 
Yes, the new testament requires faith in the Messiah to be a partaker, but that is not all that it requires.
 
Remember, faith without works is dead for the new testament participant, because the laws of God are written in their heart and mind causing them to do them (Eze 36:27).
 
“…I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts:…” – Heb 8:10
 
Rather than a lack of works testifying to dead faith, a lack of works today can testify to a strong faith in the power of Christ’s finished work for salvation.
 
New Testament and the Kingdom
 
It is said, “The new testament is the kingdom of God on earth.”
 
While this may be true, according to the promises of the new testament we are not living in that kingdom today.
 
“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them,…” – Jer 31:34
 
Instead of not needing teachers, teachers of the Bible abound in trying to exposit the truths of scripture. Instead of all Israel knowing the Lord, the majority of Israel is still in unbelief.
 
All of Israel will not be saved and the new testament fulfilled until the kingdom is brought by the Lord from heaven.
 
“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” – Rom 11:26-27
 
No New Testament Christians Today
 
The new testament was not made with Gentiles, it does not describe Christ’s work for the church, it is a law covenant, and it is not being fulfilled today.
 
No believer today can be a new testament Christian if the Bible means what it says to whom it says it.
 
Meanwhile, the believer today should be more than excited to be a member of the body of Christ, saved by grace without works, not under the law, teaching the gospel of the grace of God to a religious world whose only hope is wrongly thinking they have a special covenant with God.
 
Article IndexPublished: September 7, 2013
Last Modified: March 7, 2018
Related posts:
 

  1. -Works Never Saved Anyone 
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    -Are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Old Testament Books? 
    -30 Reasons We do not Operate Under the New Testament 
    -What Is the New Covenant / Testament? 
    -Hebrews Audio Commentary Finished! 
    -Are We Under Any Covenants?
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DOES ACTS 26:22 DISPROVE THE APOSTLE PAUL’S SPECIAL DOCTRINE?

by Shawn Brasseaux

“Shawn, in your ‘Acts 9/28 Hybrid’ study you did back in (I believe) 2015, there was a verse that didn’t make the study. It’s a verse that many are using in regards to this silly doctrine. It’s Acts 26:22: ‘Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:’ People are getting tripped up on Paul saying ‘saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.’Paul defines what that is in verse 23: ‘That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.’ How do we reconcile this, when we know from Scripture that Paul said so much more? Those who hold to a ‘two sendings’ theology are saying that Paul never preached ‘mystery’ doctrine in Acts and use Acts 26:22 as one of their ‘pet’ verses.”

Hi, my brother! Thanks for bringing that to my attention. We will get right to addressing this most important matter. I am sure many are wondering how to handle this verse as well.

For those unfamiliar with “Acts 9/28 Hybrid Theology,” just be aware that it is a group of professing “Pauline dispensational Bible students” who attack and water down Paul’s special ministry in much the same way denominationalists do. They constantly mix Peter and Paul, the nation Israel with the Body of Christ. It is a very intricate and extremely confusing system that is certainly not—notice NOT!—of the God of the Bible. The system is nothing but the idle speculations of men parading as “grace teaching.” It is not pure grace teaching, and you will see that demonstrated shortly. By the way, as the brother mentioned in the opening question, a few years ago, we released a series of related Bible study videos (five) on YouTube and two online companion booklets. Please see the link at the end of this article to learn more about this “Acts 9/28 Hybrid Theology” system.

We would do well to begin in Romans 1:1-5: “[1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) [3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; [4] And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: [5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”

Beyond any shadow of a doubt, there is only one Person in the universe named Jesus Christ. Of course, that God-Man had already been preached prior to the Apostle Paul’s conversion and ministry. To prove this, we can easily consult the Four Gospels, Matthew through John, as well as Acts chapters 1-8 (Saul/Paul was saved in chapter 9). Just as the God of the Bible was known to man prior to Paul, so the Son of God was known to man prior to Paul. As we will see later, this is the key to interpreting the verse in question.

Paul received directly from the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ a special set of doctrine that the Bible calls “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). Paul’s preaching of Jesus Christ is not a mere supplement, or an extension, of the 12 Apostles’ ministries. Pauline doctrine is designed to present the same Person Jesus Christ from a brand-new perspective. It was not another Person named Jesus Christ but rather the same Jesus Christ serving in a different capacity, bearing a new title, glorified in a new way. That is why we read about Paul saying “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25). There is a secret aspect to Jesus Christ, and it is in the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon, alone that we see that secret brought to light (cf. Colossians 1:25-29; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Timothy 2:4-7; Titus 1:1-3).

The Lord Jesus dying was no secret in the “Old Testament.” You can read of Messiah being “cut off,” killed, in Daniel 9:26. Psalm 22:16 mentions them “piercing [His] hands and [His] feet.” Isaiah 53:8 says, “he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.”We can see Messiah dying in type as well—Abraham offering his son Isaac, the blood sacrifices of the Mosaic economy, Jonah expiring in the whale’s belly, and so on. Hence, 1 Corinthians 15:3 says, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” Jesus’ death (or suffering) was predicted by the Old Testament prophets: “[10] Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: [11] Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:10-11).

As for the resurrection of Christ, it too was predicted in the Old Testament. “Christ… rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4). Psalm 16:10-11 is one of the easiest examples to realize that the Old Testament prophets wrote of the resurrection centuries before it happened (cf. Acts 2:24-32): “[10] For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [11] Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Jonah being resurrected after three days and three nights is another Old Testament hint of Messiah’s resurrection (Matthew 12:39-40). Abraham receiving Isaac to life was yet another picture of Christ being raised from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19; cf. Genesis chapter 22).

Now, we return to your question about Paul’s “Acts” ministry. The unbelieving Jews in the Book of Acts traveled around and discredited Paul, portraying him as some evil religious leader, a fraud and a blasphemer (Acts 9:23-25; Acts 13:44-46; Acts 14:19; Acts 17:5; Acts 18:6; et cetera). However, (now we bring in Acts 26:22—your question), the Apostle defended himself by saying that he was actually preaching about the Person (Messiah) that their own Law and prophets foretold and exalted. They held Moses in such high regard, they valued the prophets, and Paul appealed to these works or texts they had accepted as genuine. For example, in Thessalonica, he used the Old Testament Scriptures (probably the timeline of Daniel 9:24-27) to prove to the local Jews that Jesus was Christ (Acts 17:1-3). Paul frequently quoted the Old Testament throughout his lengthy sermon in Acts chapter 13—see especially verses 27-41). As an aside, Jesus Christ Himself showed in the Old Testament Scriptures where He was predicted (Luke 24:44-46).

Reading Acts 26:22-23 again: “[22] Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: [23] That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”

Friend, to your question about Acts 26:22, “How do we reconcile this, when we know from Scripture that Paul said so much more?” Indeed, the Apostle Paul taught a lot more than what Moses and the prophets wrote. Chiefly, he preached salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from the Law of Moses. In Acts 13:38-39, Paul says: “[38] Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: [39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Certainly, that message was not in the Law and the prophets. So, why did Paul declare that he was “saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come?”

What Paul was affirming in stating “saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts 26:22-23) was that he was not preaching something 100 percent foreign to Scripture or the Jewish people. Jesus was Israel’s Messiah, He had suffered, He had died, and He had risen again—all in fulfillment of “Old Testament” prophecy. Paul had not invented any of that. He was not a liar or charlatan. Israel simply did not believe what their own prophets wrote!

“None other things” is specifically tripping people up, so it is necessary to address it now. The confusion is unnecessary. Let me give you a very simple illustration. Suppose someone shared some information with me, and I passed it on to you. I told you, “I am only telling you what they told me.” Does that mean that I told you literally everything they told me? Of course not. I did not quote them word-for-word, and I may have left out some details (for various reasons). My point in declaring to you “I am only telling you what they told me” is my way of proving my statements. I did not invent anything; I merely repeated the basic information so you would learn it. Now take this and apply it to Paul’s situation.

The Old Testament provided some proof of what Paul was preaching. Again, the death of Christ was prophesied. His resurrection was predicted. However, what did these events mean with respect to the Gentiles apart from Israel and her prophetic program? What were Calvary’s significance concerning the Church the Body of Christ and the heavenly places? We must come to the Apostle Paul to learn those truths. Thebare minimum of Paul’s preaching—the cross of Christ—was found in the Old Testament. However, that is not all that Paul preached. If you want to think of it as him taking those basic facts and expanding upon them, think of it like that. Go back to Romans 1:1-5 (our opening passage). God had more to say about His Son than what was revealed in the Old Testament, and that is why Paul was saved and commissioned (back to Romans 1:1-5, remember).

As to the ridiculous idea that Paul did not preach mystery truth until after the Book of Acts, we are compelled to share the following. It is quite clear that Paul preached mystery truth throughout the Book of Acts, long before its closure in chapter 28. This can be easily demonstrated from the Scriptures (apart from the idle speculations of “Acts 9/28 Hybrid Theology”). Notice what we discover in Paul’s “Acts” epistles of Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and 1 & 2 Thessalonians:

  • We read about the “mystery” of Israel’s blindness mentioned in Romans 11:26. Romans was written around chapter 20 of Acts. Israel’s blindness during the Dispensation of Grace was certainly known and preached during Acts. This was certainly not found in the Old Testament—it is part of the special revelation Jesus Christ gave to Paul. This was written during the Acts period.
  • There is the “mystery” of the Rapture, the gathering together of the Church the Body of Christ to Jesus Christ in heaven, spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15:51. First Corinthians was written around Acts chapters 19-20. Romans and 1 Corinthians were written before Paul arrived at Jerusalem in Acts 20:17 (see Romans 15:25-28 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-5). First Thessalonians 4:13-18 also refers to that secret coming of Christ. These were written during the Acts period.
  • Galatians 5:6 and Galatians 6:15 mention that there is no difference between circumcision (Jew) and uncircumcision (Gentile). This is mystery truth, not found outside of Paul’s ministry, and known during the Book of Acts. Galatians was likely Paul’s first epistle, written as early as chapter 16 or 17 of Acts. Again, these were written during the Acts period.
  • Paul refers to Satan’s lie program taking on a “mystery” form in order to mimic God’s mystery program operating during the Acts period (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Mystery truth is on Paul’s mind and in his teaching ministry during the Acts period.
  • We read about Paul knowing of the “mystery” and yet unable to make it known to the immature, carnal Christians in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8. Once more, this was written during the Acts period.

https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.org/2017/06/15/acts-26-22-disprove-pauls-special-doctrine/

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Jesus’ Old Testament Ministry

By Justin Johnson

The Bible is clear that Jesus was born under the old testament.

“…when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law…” – Galatians 4:4

This would explain why, after he was born, he was circumcised and sacrifices were offered according to the law (Luke 2:21-24).

Jesus’ Ministry on Earth

During his life on earth, Jesus also ministered under the old testament. The scripture is just as clear about this in Hebrews 9:15-17.

“For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” – Hebrews 9:17

Since a testament is of force only “after men are dead”, then this means the new testament could not begin until after the death of Jesus. Jesus died in the very end of his earthly ministry as recorded in Matthew 27:50Mark 15:37Luke 23:46, and John 19:30.

If “while the testator liveth” the new testament is of no strength, then Jesus’ birth, life, and ministry on earth were all old testament.

This goes a long way to explain why Jesus instructed men to offer sacrifices (Matt 8:4), taught the law of Moses (Matt 19:17Matt 23:1-2); frequented the Jewish temple; separated from Gentiles (Matt 10:5Matt 15:24); and participated in Israel’s holy days.

He ministered on earth under the old testament! The new testament had not yet been dedicated by his death.

It is popularly thought by self proclaimed new testament Christians that they follow Jesus in his earthly ministry (the red letter books), but in following Jesus in his earthly ministry they are following Jesus under the old testament.

Jesus Ministry in Heaven

After Jesus died Hebrews 9 also explains that Jesus becomes the mediator of Israel’s new testament: a far better covenant for Israel.

Thus began Jesus’ ministry for Israel in heaven as their great high priest. Hebrews calls this work a “more excellent ministry” when he entered “into heaven itself” into the “true tabernacle” there (Heb 8:1-6Heb 9:24).

Israel’s Messiah had to ascend to heaven to perform their new testament ministry. Later he will return to bring salvation to them (Heb 9:28Rom 11:26-27).

While we read about the Word putting on flesh and blood and ministering to Israel while on earth, what Israel needed to learn after he died was the special ministry Jesus was performing for them in heaven for the new testament. This is the content of Hebrews.

Jesus Ministry from Heaven

Jesus had a ministry on earth under the old testament, and a ministry in heaven for the new testament, but both covenants were made with Israel (Heb 8:8). So, what ministry is Jesus performing today now that Israel is fallen and the new testament is not yet complete (Rom 11:11Rom 11:25-27).

The answer to this is a ministry from heaven revealed first to the apostle Paul, a special dispensation of grace to all men kept secret since the world began (Eph 3:1-2Rom 16:25). The revelation of this special ministry contains the message and ministry of the church today.

From heaven Jesus serves as Head of a new creature called the Body of Christ (Eph 2:15Eph 4:12). In the Body there is neither Jew nor Gentile, the church is not under Israel’s law, nor must the Body wait for Israel’s new testament to be fulfilled.

The Body of Christ performs the ministry of Jesus from heaven preaching the glory and grace of his death and resurrection as salvation offered freely to all. This is the content of Paul’s epistles.

Three Ministries of Jesus

Jesus did not have just one ministry. He lived under the old testament, he died for the new testament, and now he has revealed the mystery of the gospel.

His entire life Jesus ministered under Israel’s old testament on the earth. When he died Jesus ascended and ministered Israel’s new testament in heaven. When the mystery of Christ was revealed Jesus ministered the dispensation of grace to all men from heaven.

Jesus’ old testament ministry is different than his new testament ministry, which is different than his mystery ministry from heaven. And not only are they different, but some are more excellent. They must be rightly divided.

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What Would Jesus Do?

By Justin Johnson

When Charles Sheldon asked the question “What would Jesus do?”, he used the four accounts of Jesus’ earthly ministry to find his answer: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

It is easier to find Fat Albert drinking a Slim Fast than it is to find doctrine written about you in these four books written about Jesus’ ministry to the circumcision.

Careful doctrinal study tells us what Jesus did then is not something we are to do today.

Jesus was ‘made under the law’ according to Gal 4:4. As such it was not unusual to see him living and teaching according to the Old Testament law system.

For example:

He was circumcised. (Luke 2:27)
He was water baptized. (Matt 3:15)
He taught conditional forgiveness. (Matt 6:14)
He taught Levitical sacrifice. (Matt 8:4)
He taught every jot and tittle of the law. (Mat 5:17-18)
He taught tithing and offering incense. (Mat 23:23)
Eternal life comes from law obedience. (Mark 10:17-19)

He also practiced the separation between Jew and Gentile as established under the covenants with Abraham and Moses.

He told his disciples no to go to Gentiles. (Mat 10:5)
Canaanites are metaphorical “dogs”. (Mat 15:26)
“Salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22)
Healing comes through blessing Israel. (Luke 7:4-5)

Some things Jesus did no one dare do.

He came to cause division. (Luke 12:51)
He sold all he had and taught others also. (Mat 19:21)
He drove men out of the temple with cords. (John 2:15)

Also there are a lot of things that Jesus did that no one can do because only God could do them.

He was baptized without sin. (Mat 3:14-15)
He died without sin. (Luke 12:50)
He resurrected men from the dead. (John 11:43)
He walked on water. (John 6:19)
He forgave men their sins. (Mark 2:7)

As you can see there are a lot of things that Jesus did during his earthly ministry that you would be wrong to do today.

If you are looking for instructions from your Lord, then do not go back to his ministry to the circumcision. (Rom 15:8)  Go to his ministry to the Gentiles given to Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles.

Paul was declared by Christ to be the pattern for us who now believe. (1 Tim 1:16)

What would Jesus do today? He would tell you to heed the more excellent revelation that he gave to Paul instead of the message he gave Moses to Israel.

“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…” – Rom 16:25

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Don’t Take it Personal

By Justin Johnson

Have you ever heard a Christian teacher tell you to insert your name into the Bible? There is now a business that will print a personalized Bible with your name inserted in it more than 7000 times.

Instead of reading “God so loved the world” you can now read in black and white:

“God so loved Joe the Plumber, that he gave his only begotten Son…”

Or, maybe…

“The Lord is little orphan Annie’s shepherd; little orphan Annieshall not want.”

How cute. How personal. How evil! This is a corruption of the Bible!

If you ever hear this happen in your church, cry “foul”, throw the communion wafer at the stage, wrangle up the children, and exercise your freedom to leave the building.

Go have a picnic, enjoy the weather, and remind your family that the Bible need not be changed. This would be far better than trying to take the Bible personally in every place.

The Danger of Personalizing

The idea of inserting anyone’s name into any and every place and promise of the scripture is not only wrong, but is extremely dangerous, and destroys the foundation of dispensational Bible study.

In one place, God made the earth swallow men who tried to claim privileges, positions, and promises that were not theirs (Numbers 16).

But who reads Numbers, right? It was a different time, place, and people; but not according to those who take the Bible personally in every place.

Imagine, if I was reading through the deed of your house and I replaced your name with mine. I would be a thief!

What if the electric company replaced the name on my bill with your name. Unjust!

Typically, when a promise to one person is suddenly changed by inserting another person’s name, that person is called a liar, and is in breach of contract.

Then, why would someone treat God’s words so flippantly?

Every Promise Cannot Be Claimed

False teachers have long taught that you can name and claim your promise from God by inserting your name into all God’s promises in the Bible.

They think every page in the Bible is speaking to them, and they want to claim every promise of the book as theirs! This is not so.

The truth is that not every promise in the book is yours. If that were true, would not all the promises of condemnation in the Bible yours, too?

“Death has come up into little orphan Annie’s windows…” does not have the same fuzzy feeling as the promises of blessing (promise corrupted from Jer 9:21).

Why would someone who magnifies God’s word above his name sell such an aberration for $19.95? Worse yet, why would people buy them?!

Of course, the reason is clear. They are not magnifying God’s word or his good name, but impugning it for the sake of the personal comfort they receive from claiming the good parts of the Bible for themselves and leaving the bad parts for others.

Dispensationalism: Identifying the Audience

Dispensational Bible study teaches identifying the the audience before assuming it is talking to us. This process of identifying the right audience and context separates the instructions and operation of God into dispensations. It is called rightly dividing the Bible.

You cannot insert yourself into Jeremiah 29:11 which is speaking to remnant Israel in captivity in Babylon.

You cannot insert yourself into the prayer of Jabez as if God would answer for you, too. Jabez lived under God’s covenant with Israel, not you.

Psalm 23 is speaking about physical blessing to tribulation Israel. Psalms speaks of promises made exclusively with Israel (Psalm 147:19-20).

You cannot insert yourself into Jesus’ words, “he that hath seen Tim Tebow hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). This is heresy (as well as a textbook definition of a Messiah complex.)

You cannot insert “the whole church of Jew and Gentile” into James 1:1 when he identifies his audience as the “twelve tribes of Israel.”

Don’t Take it Personal

God does not like it when people speak for him things he did not say (Jer 14:15). Thank God we live in the dispensation of God’s grace today, but then again, that is only understood by rightly dividing the word of truth.

Not every promise in the Bible is yours. I speak out of care for right doctrine, please don’t take it personally. It may not be speaking to you.

But I know some will, and they would rather pay $39.95 to get a personalized Bible than freely study the book God wrote rightly divided.

Personalized Bibles are literal physical products of a failure to rightly divide the Bible believing every word – even the pronouns.

Never replace one word in the Bible with your name.

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Email Tips: Know the Audience

This "tip" was originally delivered on Saturday, May 11th, 2013 .

An important part of rightly dividing the Bible is knowing the audience.

Before hastily applying doctrine to yourself ask, “Who is the audience?”, and follow it up with, “Am I in the audience?”

If you are not the audience, then the doctrine cannot be applied to you. You can learn from it, but should not live in it.

Many books of the Bible reveal the audience in the first few verses.

For example, Obadiah says, “The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom” (Oba 1:1).

Since the Lord is speaking to Edom we do not apply the doctrine of Obadiah to ourselves.

Malachi 1:1 says, “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.”

Since the LORD is talking to Israel, we do not assume the doctrine of Malachi either.

These books are easily discerned and most would agree about their audience.

Here is another example for you to discern on your own as homework. Who is the audience of this book? Are you the audience? Does the doctrine apply to you?

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” – James 1:1

For His glory,

Justin “not Israel” Johnson

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