Dispensational

Address_on_the_Envelope.pdf

Lest those, who having read this study may feel that they have been robbed of so much that is precious in the Word - so much from which they derive comfort and help, we would like to make it clear that while the various books and parts of the Scriptures are definitely ADDRESSED TO different companies of people at different times we MUST distinguish between; the interpretationand application of the Word.

Progressive_Revelation.pdf

by Mike Penny of the Open Bible Trust

Dispensational_Frontier.pdf

The Dispensational Frontier of Acts 28:23-31 by Charles H. Welch

The Analogy of a Frontier

It is but reasonable to expect that any system of doctrine or interpretation that differs from or challenges orthodoxy, will be subjected to a fair amount of criticism, and this should be welcomed, for if our pursuit be the TRUTH, the faults discovered even by an enemy should be acknowledged and the quest continued. We believe that many whose interest has been quickened, but who have received a setback by some of the specious arguments advanced against us, would value a careful and constructive presentation of the reasons why Acts 28 should be considered a dispensational boundary. This we hope to provide in the following pages.

The Correct Handling of Scripture by W. M. Henry of the Open Bible Trust

The correct handling of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) that in the interpretation of Scripture it is important to take account not only of what is written but of whom, to whom, with what words, at what time, to what intent, with what circumstances, and considering what goes before and what comes after.

Twisting the Scriptures

How should Scripture be interpreted? There are almost as many views of this as there are interpreters. The Scriptures can be made to prove almost anything. Particular passages have been used, for example, to support slavery and apartheid, and also the doctrines and teachings of strange religious cults and sects. The apostle Peter, speaking about Paul's writings, warned that these, in common with other Scriptures, were being distorted by ignorant and unstable people, with disastrous consequences (2 Peter 3:16). This distortion has continued ever since. It is all too easy for us to twist Scripture to arrive at a meaning that we find convenient to our way of thinking, which is why Paul sets out a fundamental principle for Timothy, his son in the faith, who was leader of the church at Ephesus. Timothy was to do his best to present himself to God as someone who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The Greek term translated "correctly handles" occur in a number of places in Scripture; e.g. Proverbs 3:6 ("he will make your paths straight") and 11:5 ("The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them").

God's Different Dealings with Mankind by Charles Ozanne of the Open Bible Trust

The need to take note in Scripture of God's different dealings with men at different times and places and in particular the change recorded in Acts 28:17-31 with the resulting ministry of the Apostle Paul the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-9).

Who and How?

Appendix_193.pdf

Companion Bible - Appendix 193 - "MYSTERY" (from Appendix 193 of The Companion Bible compiled by E. W. Bullinger)

The English word "mystery" is a transliteration of the Greek word, musterion, (it is from mueo - to initiate or admit to secrets; and mustes was used of the person so initiated), which means sacred secret. It occurs in the Septuagint Version (280 B.C.) nine times as the equivalent for the Chaldee, raz in the Chaldee portion of "Daniel," which means to conceal ; hence something concealed that can be revealed, viz, in Daniel 2:18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 47 and 4:9.

It occurs frequently in the Apocryphal books; which, though of no use for establishing doctrine, are of great value in determining the meaning of Biblical usage of Greek words. In these books musterion always means the secret of friends, or of a king, &c. (In subsequent Revisions of the Sept., Theodotion (A.D. 160) uses it for the Heb sod - Job:15:8, Psa. 25:14, Prov. 20:19.) See Tobit 12:7, 11, Judith 2:2, Wisdom 2:22 (translated "mysteries"); 14:23, Ecclus. 22:22; 27:16, l7, 21, 2 Macc. 13:21 (R.V.). The passage in Judith is remarkable: for Nabuchodonosor calls his captains and great men just before entering on a campaign, and "communicated with them his secret counsel," lit. "the mystery of his will." This is exactly the same usage as in Eph. 1:9, except that the Greek word for will or counsel is different. (In Judith 2:2, it is boule [Appendix 102.4) while in Eph. 1:9, it is thelema, (Appendix 102.2)

By the end of the second century A.D. it was used interchangeably with tupos (=type), sumbolon (=symbol), and parabole, (= parable). When we find the Greek word, musterion rendered sucramentum in the Latin Vulgate of Eph. 5:32, it is clear that it was used as meaning a secret sign or symbol, and not in the modern meaning put upon the word, "sacrament," i.e., "holy mysteries."

Your calling involves the ministry given to the Apostle Paul after the close of Acts.  The first book Paul wrote after Acts was Ephesians.  In that book, he addresses the Gentiles directly for the first time.  This calling is classified in the Post Acts books.

Post Acts Period Books

• Ephesians
• Colossians
• Philemon
• Philippians
• Titus
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy

The dispensational characteristics of the Post Acts Period include:

• Jewish & Gentile Christians equal
• Abraham - 0 references
• Moses - 1 ref. (2 Tim 3:8)
• No food Laws or regulaitons for either Jews or Gentiles
• No circumcision Jewish Christians and no circumcision for Gentile Christians
• No Sabbath for Jewish Christians; no Sabbath for Gentile Christians
• No Covenants
• Christ’s second coming no longer imminent
• No instant & complete healing ministry for either Jews or Gentiles
• No tongues
• Most prayers ‘petitionary’; i.e. ‘may’ receive
• One baptism in Spirit by Christ.  Christians receive the Spirit upon believing the gospel of salvation.  Water baptism not necessary.
• Leaders appointed by men (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-9)
• Evil spirits - 0 references
• Demon possession - 0 references; Demons - 1 reference (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

"THE MYSTERY As An Adjunct to the Dispensation of Grace

To me, "Grace is the energizing force of God's love toward all who will receive it." Others have said it is "God's love in action." Webster's Dictionary defines grace, in its theological setting, as "the unmerited love and favor of God toward man," etc. Just pick the one you like best!

The fact is that every dispensation of God is an adjunct to Grace; for without Grace, whether it be The Revealed Plan or The Hidden Purpose, (see our papers, "My Gospel" and "The Mystery - As is Now Revealed") they would not - - nor could they - - function. Take, for example, the case of Cain and Abel. Abel was accepted (Gen. 4:4, Heb. 11:4), and Cain was rejected (Gen. 4:3, 5-25). It follows, Cain and Abel would typify The Revealed Plan; whereas Eph. 2:8a ("for by grace you are") would typify The Hidden Purpose. As you can see, Grace is not a new means of God's activity, but is as old as time.

"THE MYSTERY" Its Reality, The Practical Side (Ephesians Chapters 4 through 6)

Since The Mvstery is a body of many truths addressed to God's people (Col. 1:26), the practical side would of necessity have to do with the walk. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him." (Col. 2:6) The instructions in this context are no less forthright: "Work out your own salvation (deliverance) for it is God who is energizing you to His purposes." (Phil. 2:12, 13 and 16).

The walk that is worthy begins in meekness and endeavors to keep (not create) the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:1-3). Thus, Faith-Obedience in the walk turns on seven distinct fundamental points of stewardship (Eph. 4:4-6). These seven points will be discussed at the end of this paper. The pilgrimage of the Mystery saint traverses many adjustments along the way (Eph. 4:12). The progress or regress determines the time element until there is the unity of the faith (Eph. 4:13). Unity of the faith also speaks of the perfect man (maturity) -- see also Col. 1:28. [For a separate study, compare these two scriptures to see the adjustments in understanding the saints had to make just after the close of the Acts Period: I Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11. Compare the eight offices of the church in I Cor. to the 5 in Eph. Also compare the diversities of operations in I Cor. 12:6 and the parts of the Body in I Cor. 12:21 to Eph. 4:15. See our paper, " 'The Mystery' - A Corporate Body, i.e., The Body of Christ,"]

"THE MYSTERY" - Its Prophetic Content (I Tim. 4:1-5; II Tim. 3:1-9)

PART I

"Now the Spirit in spoken words says that in the latter times (specific) some will depart (apostasize) the faith, attending to seducing (planetary) spirits and teachings of demons, in men of hypocrisy speaking lies having been branded on their own conscience; forbidding to marry, to abstain from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth. Because every creature is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." (Free Translation - I Tim. 4:1-5 - very literal.)

Our Lord, on the night before He was betrayed, spoke to His apostles about the Holy Spirit, "I will send Him unto you" (John 16:7b ). "Howbeit when He, the spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth, ...and He will show you things to come." (John 16:13)

Our Lord also energized the Apostle Paul to write, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: But whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Heb. 13:4)