That Which Is Perfect

that which is perfect is come.

1Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

I pray that God will open the eyes of your understanding of His word rightly divided. My friend, right division is the only way we can understand the Scriptures. A lot of good folks get all shook up when we use the phrase rightly divide! But, Why?--- Did not the apostle Paul tell Timothy, study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needs not to be a shamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Rightly divide the Word of Truth is a very good phrase. The apostle Paul received it directly from the risen and glorified Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. Therefore it was Christ who inspired Paul to write, the phrase rightly divide the Word of Truth.

In much of Christendom there are a few buzz words that really do set some folks off, they actually can cause division among many so called believers! Here are some of those words: dispensational, dispensationalism, water baptism and more than one gospel, Right division, and rapture, these words really cause a stir. But I remind you to just think about it. God deals with mankind in periods of time that He calls dispensations.

A new dispensation is when God changes the way He deals with mankind. He sets new house rules and guide lines for mankind to live by, dispensationalism is the study and practice of these rules. We all know what water baptism is, but, it is very clear that we do not all know to whom water baptism belongs. Since the Bible says: Jesus Christ the same yesterday,to-day and forever. Folks think He has only one gospel and one set of rules the ten commandments that we should follow, but that is definitely not true. God had two dispensations and two gospels going at the same time for a short time, although the kingdom gospel was quickly fading away.

For those of you that just can not handle two gospels; I have good news for you, today there is only one gospel and it is called the gospel of the grace of God. But sadly the greater part of Christendom insists on following the previous gospel for the dispensation of law; but, my friend that gospel has been set aside by God until the tribulation. As for the rapture, whether you agree or not, God said that He did not choose the church the body of Christ for wrath, He chose to remove the church from earth before the tribulation starts.

1Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

God said, that He has already delivered us from the wrath to come, so that is why I stand on this promise we will be raptured from the earth before the wrath comes.

1Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

When we do not study the Scriptures dispensationly and we do not rightly divide them; then we can not understand their true meaning. Dispensationalism is not from the Devil, as so many supposed men of God have said. But truly right division is from God the Holy Spirit. And right division is the way that Paul told Timothy to study God's Word. Therefore Paul's instructions to Timothy are for us as well.

Right division is the key to understanding the Scriptures. With out right division there is a constant struggle to understand the writings of the apostle Paul and the rest of the Scriptures.

2Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needith not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Things that were written earlier include the Four Gospels. Romans 15:4 are for our learning. When we neglect the apostle Paul. Then all that learning becomes moot 2Timothy 3:7.

Romans 15:4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

2Timothy 3:7. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I am fully convinced in my heart by the Scriptures, "That which is perfect" is the mystery that was hid in the mind of God before the age began. God said, that He would make of the Jew and the Gentile one new man in Christ Jesus; He also gave us a new dispensation called the dispensation of the grace of God. The Lord Jesus Christ revealed this secret or the mystery to the apostle Paul. Paul said, I did not receive it from man nor was I taught it; but by the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore if we believe Paul's basic gospel of the grace of God 1Cor. 15:1-4 we are saved.

Do not let these warnings fall on deaf ears and do not harden your hearts!

(Galatians 1:8-12):

v8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. v9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. v10. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. v11. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. v12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Whose Gospel?

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,

Here is the basic Gospel (1Corinthians 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:

For those who reject Paul's Gospel!

(2Corinthians 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.

1Corinthians 13:8 tells us that Love never fails, but it lists three things that either fail, cease or vanish away. "But when that which is perfect is come; that which is in part will be done away with." To be sure: That which is perfect had to come before that which is in part was done away with. When the apostle Paul finished writing his last epistle, which was most likely 2 Timothy the gospel of the grace of God was complete.

That which is perfect is complete. If I can I would like to make it very clear to all; Paul's mystery gospel, is the secret made known by the Lord Jesus Christ and it is that which is perfect, therefore it is no longer a secret it has been revealed to all mankind.

The Gospel of the Kingdom... verses The Gospel of the Grace of God

The Mosaic law, tongues, healing, prophecy, knowledge and all of the sign gifts are that which is in part and my friend they are on hold until the tribulation. Therefore, God has set aside the gospel of the kingdom to await the tribulation. The nation Israel, is also set aside awaiting the tribulation.

In Acts 28:28 final judgment was pronounced on the Nation Israel by God through the apostle Paul. At this time God is growing the church the body of Christ, Gods heavenly people. Since signs were for unbelieving Israel; they are no longer needed. That which is perfect has come; the apostle Paul fulfilled God's Word when he finished with 2Timothy. The books God sent to us are: Romans through Philemon with full instructions for the body of Christ. The gospel of the kingdom is truly closed for now, awaiting the tribulation.

Now, water baptism comes to mind, and yes the apostle Paul did baptize some Jews; but he stopped when God told him to stop. 1Corinthians 1:17. The apostle Paul performed many signs among the Gentiles in order to validate his apostleship. But now, Paul's commission is complete, the mystery gospel is in print. We have the full gospel of the grace of God, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery; and Paul calls it my gospel.

Paul should call the gospel of the grace of God my gospel. He also called it our gospel, but again keep in mind our gospel is the gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ gave to the apostle Paul alone. It is that which is perfect for the church the body of Christ. It is for the one new man in Christ Jesus.

1Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

My friend this is why we do not baptize!

Once again that which is perfect is the good news or secret that was hid in the mind of God before the world began! But now it is revealed to the apostle Paul for you and me.

(What Must I Do To Be Saved?)

Believe the gospel and you are saved!

That is to say: Believe in Christ's finished work on the cross; and we are saved.

1Corinthians 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:

Romans 16:25-26

v25. 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, v26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

2Corinthians 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.