Lesson # 4
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2: 15
The Word of God has spoken – we must examine it. The context of the above Scripture is centered around a workman; (believer) 1) meeting God's approval and 2) having no cause to be ashamed because he did not understand rightly dividing.
Both can be met through STUDY. The word study is defined as to be diligent or to labor. Too many of us are lazy when it comes to studying our Bible. But if we long for God's approval and do not want to be ashamed in our knowledge of Biblical issues, we must diligent. (Characterized by persevering, painstaking effort)
Most Bibles are divided into the Old and New Testaments. But rightly dividing the Old and New Testament is what we are instructed to do. There are 66 Books in the Bible: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
Paul, in writing to Timothy, tells him: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for (1) doctrine, (2) for reproof, (3) for correction, (4) for instruction in righteousness. (Why?) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 (The non-bold numbers and words are inserted by me)
What this tells us is that God used many men to pen the finished Word of God and that all the Books of the Bible have a purpose. It is our responsibility to 1) divide them into doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness 2) to determine which, if any, of them are applicable for today.
Let me explain. We get mail delivered to our homes by the postman. Some of it is address to us personally and some of it is addressed to the occupant. The first is personal and the latter is not. Which do you suppose is more meaningful, the personal mail, right? The whole Bible is FOR us, but there are some parts of it that are specifically TO us, our own personal mail. Therefore those written to us are more meaningful.
So, if we are to be diligent, it would behoove us to find out if there are books in the Bible that are addressed specifically to us, the "us" being the Church the Body of Christ. Believers of today become part of Christ through the act of spiritual baptism. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12: 13
The question at hand: are all the saved from Genesis to Revelation baptized into the body of Christ or are some of them part of an earthly kingdom? Scripture tells me that Christ is 1) head of a body of believers, Jew and Gentile and 2) Christ is the king of Israel.
We will examine Christ the King first.
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth" Jer. 23: 5
"Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe…" Mark 15: 32
It is time to introduce you to my "Time Chart.". Click Here to pull up the chart.
Notice in the center of the page the words: Time Past, But Now and Restitution and Refreshing. Directly underneath Time Past locate the words "Predicting the King and the Kingdom." Look at the bottom of the page and you will see Genesis – Malachi in alignment with Predicting the King and Kingdom. Thus implying that all the books of the Old Testament concern issues that primarily focus on "looking for a King to come who will establish an earthly kingdom."
The next topic at the center of the page says, "Presenting the King and Kingdom." The books of the Bible that correspond to this time period are Matthew through John and Acts. Therefore we can conclude that Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts concern issues that focus on "Presenting the King and His Kingdom."
In the center/far right area of the chart find the words "Kingdom Established – King Reigns. Notice that the book of Revelation is the corresponding book for that period of time. Once again we can conclude that Revelation concerns the Kingdom being established with the King on the throne.
For the purpose of teaching, we will be labeling events that are described in Genesis through Malachi, Matthew through John and a part of Acts and Hebrews through Revelation as Prophecy. (This prophecy primarily concerns Jesus the Christ: 1) announcing His coming, 2) His coming the first time to die, and 3) His coming the second time to reign.)
We have just divided Scriptures that primarily deal with predicting the King, presenting the King and the King reigning on the earth. We must continue to rightly divide and determine if the saved of today are part of that earthly kingdom. You may be surprised!
Back to the chart. In the center of the chart you will see an area in red. (Grey for black & white monitors) Notice the words: The Body of Christ, Mystery and Age of Grace. Corresponding to all this are Acts 9-28 and Romans through Philemon. We will label events in Acts 9-28 and Romans through Philemon as Mystery. (Mystery means – secret. So, things in this period were kept secret until God chose to reveal them to the apostle Paul.)
We have successfully completed the first step in rightly dividing the Word of truth. From now on we will look at the Bible as things concerning Prophecy and things concerning Mystery.
Under Prophecy there is a group of saved people whom will inherit the earth where Jesus will reign as King. Under Mystery there is a group of people who are a part of Christ's body. He is the Head they are the member parts of the body. These people will reign in heaven and be at the right hand of the Father.
Note: The books of the Mystery are specifically to the Church the Body of Christ, and therefore are more meaningful for us today. People who are saved today become members of the Church the Body of Christ.
We have successfully completed another division: The saved in the period known, as Prophecy will live eternally on the earth. The saved in the period known as Mystery will live eternally in heaven.
Review Questions:
Does the Bible say we should rightly divide? _____________
Give the scripture. _____________________
Is the whole Bible FOR us? ________________
Is the whole Bible TO us? ____________________
The Bible is divided into the Old Testament and New Testament, but how must we divide it in order to better understand it? ______________________
People of Prophecy will reign eternally in 1) Heaven or on 2) Earth?
What books of the Bible tell us about this time period? _____________
People of Mystery will reign eternally in 1) Heaven or on 2) Earth?
What books of the Bible tell us about this time period? ___________
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