It was great digging in to 1 Corinthians 14:2-3 this morning, and seeing the 3 guiding principles of edification, understanding, and order being laid out by the Apostle Paul, concerning the use of spiritual gifts, especially tongues in the assembly, the body of Christ. Being a willing vessel is paramount to the use of any spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:27-31). We are all endowed with a gift for use in the body, for edifying each other.
Ephesians 4:11-16 reminds us that the purpose of gifts is strengthen the body into maturity. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
We also looked into the statement concerning the purpose of our study of the Word of God. All the Bible was not written to me (2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.), but all the Bible was written for me. (2 Timothy 3:16-17: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.)
The Dispensations of scripture are laid out from Innocence (Genesis 1-3), Conscience (Genesis 4-8), Human Government (Genesis 9-11), Promise (Genesis 12-Exodus 19), Law (Exodus 20 – Matthew27), Grace (Matthew 28 – Revelation 3), the Kingdom Age of the Millennium through eternity future (Revelation 19 – 22). The Tribulation (Revelation 6-18) could be another dispensation or it could be a 7 year transition period from the Dispensation of the Grace of God to the Millennium. Regardless, it is an important period of time for the restoration of Israel into fellowship with God. Rightly dividing the scripture is important to understand the doctrine that God has placed throughout all 66 books.
What has been written to us is Romans through Philemon — 13 books. The other 53 books were written for us, for doctrine — what is truth / what is right, for reproof — what is not right in our lives, correction — how to make things right in our lives, and instruction in righteousness — how to keep things right in our lives.
All scripture has 3 basic applications:
The STHA / Simple Truth Historic Application — the scripture has an author and an immediate group being written to.
The PTDA / Personal Treasure Devotional Application — what the Holy Spirit wants to teach and encourage me in that particular scripture.
The DTDA / Deep Treasure Doctrinal Application — focuses on God’s purpose concerning the messianic kingdom program of Messiah King Jesus.
Studying to show ourselves approved unto God by rightly dividing the word of truth is paramount to God’s will for our lives – being conformed to Christ.
Looking forward to next Sunday!