Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (May the Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts with His Truth)
Let's speak truth and clarify how to determine it in Biblical context. To correctly divide the word of truth one must read in CONTEXT.
The following rules should be applied (as we do everywhere else) so that we know:
(1) When the letter was written (what was the historical envelope, what was happening, what covenant was it written in, etc)
(2) Who was it written to? (Those who were already Christians? Those who had never heard of the Gospel? Those who were being persecuted? Those who had fallen away from the truth? )
(3) For what purpose was it written? (To encourage the churches in times of persecution? To inform non-Christians of a new covenant? To defend Christianity in a time of "falling away"?)
(4) Who wrote it? (who was the likely author? In what genre was it written? - apocalyptic, personal letter, historical account)
(5) What does it say to me today? (How can I apply what was written to my life?)
The book of Romans was written to the "saints"
in Rome, Christians who were tempted to fall into becoming "closet
Christians" because of the persecution of the church. There was a
temptation to stoop to tie shoes at the statue of Caesar so as appear to be
worshipping him while keeping a clear "conscience".
Christians were hiding in caves for worship and were
not confessing Christ openly with their lips for fear of death. The book of Romans was written for the purpose of REMINDING
THEM ("or do you not know" Romans 6) to "continue" to
confess Christ openly ...even to the point of death (unto their ultimate
salvation).
Romans 10, in context then, was written to those faltering in the
faith, not to bring the unsaved to Christ. Romans 6 reminds everyone how
these Christians were brought INTO CHRIST.
To learn how the "unchurched" gained salvation we
need to turn to the historical accounts in Acts because the rest of the letters in the
New Testament were written to the saints. In Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, 18:8, 19, 22:16, we see
how those who heard the Gospel responded and how God added them to those numbered among the saved.
Rightly dividing the word helps us to eliminate erroneous
interpretations. You would not ask your congregation to lie on their side for
40 days and eat wheat, barley, and beans (Ezekiel 4) because you have some
decorum about how to divide Scripture...but too often when we get to Matthew we
just forget to follow contextual rules.
Simple rules:
The Old Testament reveals Christ in EXPECTATION. We
should see shadows of Christ in what we read The Old Testament was written to bring
us to Christ.
The Gospels reveal Christ as INCARNATION. We should
recognize that in the 4 gospels everyone is still living under the Old Law. The
new covenant did not take effect until the death of the testator (Hebrews 9:16)
Jesus’ teachings were to prepare us for the New Covenant as a bridge to the new
Will of God.
In the Book of Acts we see Christ in PROCLAMATION. It
contains the first GOSPEL sermon (Acts 2) which declared the death, burial,
resurrection and ascension of Christ to the Throne of glory (Definition of the
Gospel 1 Cor 15:1-5). It also contains the first responses to the Gospel (how
sinners responded to the Gospel Message: Acts 2, 8, 9, 22:16). When sinners
responded, it was God that added them to the church, to be numbered among the
saved (Acts 2:47).
The Letters (Romans - Jude) were all written to
Christians, saints, brethren, those who were IN CHRIST. The letters had the
purpose of keep Christians growing into the image of Christ, keeping them in
the doctrine and to REMIND them how to continue in the faith, to grow in love
and the fruits of the Spirit, to get along, and to avoid falling away.
The book of Revelation is Christ in REVELATION. Its
purpose was to bless those who read it (Revelation 1:3) because of the
persecution they would SOON suffer (Revelation 1:3) and to give them a glimpse
of the final victory IN CHRIST.
Where should we look to find the acceptable way to claim
the gift of salvation? Find the Scriptures where those who accepted the gospel
went on their way rejoicing (Acts 8:38-40)! -- The book of Acts.
Since Christ came to be our example..we could also look
in one more place...and that would be at Jesus' own baptism. He was our
EXAMPLE. Although he did not need salvation, he was baptized to please God and
to show us the way. 6 things happened in Luke 3 at the baptism of Jesus.
(1) Jesus went down into the water (immersed)
(2) He was praying. He prayed for God's blessings
(3) As He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended
on Him
(4) God announced Jesus as His Son
(5) God was well pleased
(6) Jesus began His mission, His work, His dedicated life to
the ministry of God.
6 Events Take Place at Our Salvation
As a penitent believer in Christ we accept the gift of salvation
by:
(1) Submitting to God by burying our old self -Going down
into the water to die to self (Romans 6)
(2) Going down into the water in the faith that God is
Working in our Baptism (Col 2:12-14). What work does God do in baptism?
(3) Going down into the water "Calling on the Name
of The Lord". What do we call on God to do? His work!
What work does God do in baptism?
(4) God pours out His Spirit into our hearts, gives us
all the spiritual blessings IN CHRIST (Eph 1:3) which includes making us holy
and blameless, free from sin, giving us the spirit of wisdom, an inheritance, a
new name, new family, new church, new mission, new hope, new joy, and new
peace. God does ALL the work in baptism while we SUBMIT to His will. Baptism is
NOT a work of man, it is God at work for us as we die to self and are raised up
to walk in newness of life (Romans 6) Baptism puts us INTO CHRIST (Galatians3:26-27) where all spiritual blessings are given.
(5) God is well pleased and calls us His child
(6) God gives us a new purpose, new mission (of
reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:18), and new path to follow.
We have no statement in the New Testament that states
"we should pray a sinner's prayer" except during baptism (Acts 22:16).
I Peter 3:15 tells SAINTS to "sanctify Christ as Lord of your
hearts". This is a call to those who needed a reminder. Watch: http://youtu.be/5Is8QnxviOI
In Romans, Paul tells Christians, to "confess Christ with their
mouths" not just in their hearts during a time when they could be thrown
into prison, their children thrown to the lions, or their bodies tortured. Paul
reminds them ...there is no excuse....there are no closet Christians.
Please take time to READ and RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word by
observing WHO it was written to, WHEN, and WHY.
See how you can call on God (Acts 22:14-16)
See how being IN CHRIST is the only place where we
receive spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3)
See how we can be thankful in all things
because we are IN CHRIST (Phil 4:4-13)
See how we are placed INTO CHRIST (Galatians 3:26-27)
See how the Holy Spirit gives honor and glory
to Christ for every spiritual blessing.
Next to every mention of a spiritual blessing in your New Testament is a
prepositional phrase giving honor to Christ. (in Him, through Him, by Him, in
Christ, in the Beloved, etc.)
Practice finding these spiritual blessing by
circling them in Ephesians the first chapter. When you are IN CHRIST you
receive all of these and none of these are found outside of Christ. If you need
help refer to this website.
