One of the best methods I know of is: A little over five hundred years ago a man by the name of Miles Coverdale
discovered a very simple solution that works just great for studying and understanding the Bible. For anyone who knows the Lord Jesus Christ and will rightly divide the Word of Truth
Just like the apostle Paul said that Timothy should do. This method is probably the best way for understanding the Scriptures as God meant them to be understood. Miles Coverdale's solution is below in just two short sentences. Check it out!
Miles Coverdale (1488 – 1568)
It will help you to understand the Scriptures, if you mark not
only what is said or written, but of whom or to whom, with what
words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances,considering
what goes before and what follows after.
Miles Coverdale, was the first man
to translate the entire Bible into the English language. While
the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is an accurate record
of events and sayings of men, we must remember: All Scripture
is for me. But it is not all addressed to me nor is it all written
about me.
If we follow Coverdale's observations, we will find them to be extremely helpful. Much of the confusion that exists in Christendom
today; is brought about by the seeming contradictions
between the writings of the Apostle Paul and the other Scripture writers. But, let's not forget the Holy Spirit authored the entire Bible no matter who the writer might be. These seeming conflicts are really dispensational changes. From time to time God changes the way He deals with mankind.
There are seeming conflicts between Christ earthly message to the Nation Israel, and the message brought by the apostle Paul. But, Christ's earthly message was under the law, and it is called the gospel of the kingdom to the Jews only. On the other hand Paul's message is under pure grace, it is the revelation of the mystery that Christ revealed
to the apostle Paul from heaven. It was a secret hid in the mind of God before the world began. It was completely different therefore God gave the apostle Paul a new dispensation in which to preach this new gospel.
Do you remember what Jesus told the rich young ruler? He told him to keep the law and he would earn everlasting life (Luke 18:18-21). But, Paul and Silas told the Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:31)believe on the Lord Jesus Christ , and you will be saved. That means to believe in Christ's finished work on the cross; His death, burial, resurrection and ascension back to the Father's right hand.
Paul and Silas did not contradict Christ's statement above because Christ's message was under the law and Paul's message was pure grace. Paul's message is from the risen and glorified Lord Jesus Christ, which is His heavenly message for the one new man, and it is not under the law. You will have problems when you try to lump these two gospels together as one. We must all understand that the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and the twelve was fully under the Mosaic Law, and they for the Jews only. But, Christ's revealed the gospel of pure grace to the apostle Paul for the one new man.
Keep in mind God's attributes never change. But, He does change the way He deals with mankind from time to time. And these times of change are called dispensations. In a dispensation some things change and some things may stay the same. The things that God loved before He still loves, and the things that God hated before He still hates.
Note: Paul's gospel is the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret hid in God before the world began. The mystery gospel is Christ's heavenly message of Grace to the Gentiles. But, Christ's earthly message through the twelve was not under grace it was under the Mosaic Law. This gospel under the law did not change while Christ was here on earth, but, it was set aside by God in Acts 28:28 through the ministry of the apostle Paul.
The men that wrote the Scriptures wrote at the time they were moved to write by the Holy Spirit. Their writings did not require research; or it would not be the word of God, it was inspired by the Holy Spirit at the time it was written. This writing was not put off until years later with the use of notes or calling on the memory experiences of others. Paul tells us to rightly divide
the Word of Truth in order to understand what God is telling
us. We must know to whom God is speaking at what time etc. Don't forget we must divide truth from truth, not truth from error. Because the Bible is only truth!
Understand that the gospel that the apostle Paul preached had been kept secret, hid in the mind of God before the world began. Then Christ revealed this secret to the apostle Paul alone from heaven. Therefore it was unsearchable in God's Word outside of the writings of the apostle Paul. This new gospel was preached in a new dispensation called the dispensation of the grace of God. Therefore let's stop trying to lump it together with the gospel of the kingdom. My friend, these two gospels can not be mixed. Paul calls for a anathema on any one trying to do such a thing.
We can understand the Scriptures
when we rightly divide them. That means separate the two dispensational messages, the body of Christ and Israel. Our instructions for this dispensation were given to the apostle Paul, and again they are unsearchable
in all previous dispensations. Do not wait for your pastors to tell you these things because many grace and non-grace pastors do not want to know these things themselves. The best Bible teacher I know is Les Feldick an Oklahoma rancher. Les teaches the Bible dispensationly just like Paul said to do.
The
Lord Jesus Christ's could not help the Gentiles until after His death burial, resurrection and ascension back to the Father's right hand. Then from heaven He revealed the mystery to the apostle Paul. God created in Himself one new man made up of the Jew and the Gentile alike making peace. Therefore,
when we see changes in direction, we know that it is from God the Holy Spirit, and it is not errors from the human writers. In all truth there are no contradictions between any writers of Scripture, just dispensational changes by God the Holy Spirit.
We cannot pick and choose the apostle or apostles that we will follow because that choice is made for us by God. The Holy Spirit points us in the right direction in
order that we may understand the truth pertaining to our own dispensation.
We must observe to whom, the Scriptures are speaking and rightly divide the Word of Truth.
We should take heed to what Miles Coverdale says.
Let me give you a couple of examples that shows that God does change the way He
deals with mankind from time to time. God told Adam do not eat of the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil or you will surely die; Adam only had one command to keep, but this command
was not valid for Noah. God told Noah, build an Ark, because it is going to rain, and I will
destroy the earth with a flood. That command was not valid for Abraham.
God
told Abraham to circumcise every male in his possession.
This command was not valid for the apostle Paul's converts. Although
from Adam until the cross a animal blood sacrifice was required for sin. And so on... Never
loose sight of the fact that the same Lord Jesus Christ gave each of
these commands. For the Jews the law was given through Moses. For the Gentiles the Lord Jesus Christ gave the Apostle Paul the gospel of the grace of God from heaven.
As we read
the Bible the wisest principal that we can observe is: 'right division'.
Paul told Timothy how to study the Scriptures and not be ashamed.
2Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Right Division...!
Right Division...! Right Division...! Now! I understand! This is where
right division comes in.
Kingdom believers before Acts 28:28 were all Jews and they were required to repent of killing their Messiah and they were required to be baptized for
the remission of their sins. They were saved when they believe that, Jesus was the Christ, the Son of
the living God, and they had to keep the law.
They were not required to believe in Christ's finished work on the cross for salvation.
They had only to believe that He was who He said He was and keep the law.
All believers in the dispensation of the grace of God receive salvation as
a free gift, when we believe the gospel. And that gospel is Christ's finished
work on the cross as out lined in 1Cor.15:1-4. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ
did all that was necessary for our salvation in His death burial and His resurrection and ascension back to the Father. We also believe that God gave the Gentiles
the apostle Paul as a pattern for everlasting life.
The apostle Paul laid the foundation for
Christ's new church called the body of Christ. Our salvation requirements are found in 1Corinthians 15:1-4.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
v1. Moreover, brethren,
I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which
also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
v2. By which also ye are
saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye
have believed in vain.
v3. For I delivered unto
you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died
for our sins according
to the scriptures;
v4. And that he was buried,
and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
It is very important that we remember what happens if we do not follow the apostle; that God gave us, the apostle Paul.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
v3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
v4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Now which Gospel should we follow?
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to establish 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,
Brothers and sisters in Christ this is the gospel that we should follow: Paul's gospel of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery!
There is a difference
Far to many so called Christians
today believe, that there is no difference between Peter's gospel for Jews only, and Paul's gospel of the grace of God for all mankind. I believe that is why they try to mix these two gospels. It may really shock them to learn that the gospel of the kingdom is fully under the Mosaic Law, but it has been set aside, waiting for the tribulation. While the gospel of the grace of God is with out the law, it is pure grace.
Matthew
19:16-17
v16. And, behold, one
came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do,
that I may have eternal life?
v17. And he said unto
him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that
is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Gentiles
were never under the Law of Moses! God gave the law to His chosen people and that did not include the Gentiles. The law does not belong to the Gentiles.
At that time salvation for the Gentiles could only come through the Jews.
But now, our
salvation comes from believing in the Lord Jesus Christ's finished work
on the cross. We must believe that He died on the cross, that He was buried and after three nights
and three days, He arose from the dead, He ascended back to the Father's
right hand to make intercession for us. When we believe in Christ's finished
work on the cross, we are saved.
Christ is the same yesterday today
and forever; true, but, He does change the way He deals with mankind
from time to time. And these times of change are called dispensations.
You know! That word that some folks say is not in the Bible! (Well, it
is!)
Hebrews
13:8Jesus Christ the
same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
This
statement is absolutely true! So, why all the confusion? Once again the answer is: Right Division! I use the KJV as a reference for all of my writing, probably the best reason for using the KJV is that many
of the other translations take to many liberties with the Word of God and some even shun
the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. But God said, without
the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin; this is one of Scriptures
absolutes. Another absolute is: with out faith it is impossible to please God. And the third is: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
We will stop here or the page will be filled. Before you get through this study:
Please ask God to open the eyes of your understanding that you may see and understand, the Word rightly
divided. To accomplish that, take a look at what Miles Coverdale has to say.
It will help you to understand the Scriptures, if you mark not
only what is said or written, but of whom or to whom, with what
words, at what time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances,considering
what goes before and what follows after.
This next man tells us the gospel that we should follow if we are serious about the Lord Jesus Christ. William R Newell is another man with outstanding insights that we should hear.
William R Newell (1868-1956
You can judge any man's preaching or teaching by this rule : - Is he Pauline? Does his doctrine start and finish according to those statements of Christian doctrine uttered by the Apostle Paul? No matter how wonderful a man may seem in his gifts and apparent consecration if his Gospel is not Pauline, it is not the Gospel; and we might as well get our minds settled at once as to that.
Now look what God the Holy Spirit has to say about Paul's gospel, doesn't this agree with what Newell said?
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
v3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
v4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Timothy
3:16-17
v16. All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
v17. That
the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works.
We
must understand that all previous Scriptures are given for our
learning. And if we do not heed Mr. Coverdale's observation. We may become
confused and start claiming promises that are not ours. Don't forget those promises also came with noncompliant curses, if God's instructions
were not strictly followed. The promises are not ours, they belong to the
nation Israel.
Our only and best choice is the gospel of the grace of God, in other words believe God. And
keep in mind,
we are not under the Law! The law would not save us it would kills us! We are not the
nation Israel! The covenant promises are not ours they belong to the nation Israel. The church the
Body of Christ is not Israel's church, and it is not part of Israel's church.
My friend there are two churches, the kingdom church, and the body of Christ's church. We are also dealing here with two dispensations, the dispensation of Law, and the dispensation of the Grace of God. But the dispensation of law has been set aside for now, until the church the body of Christ is full.
If you want more grace Bible basics click on the link below Go To More Basic Gospel:
