It is hard to believe that today marks week 117 of our Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth study. Being able to discern the scriptures written to us and those written for us is of utmost importance in our personal journey into Christlikeness. Navigating all scripture means being able to identify the who, what, when, where, and why when reading any particular passage. The Old Testament is divided into three major sections – History (Genesis to Esther, which includes the Law of Moses), Wisdom / poetry (Job to Song of Solomon), and Prophecy (Isaiah to Malachi), The New Testament is also divided into three major sections – History (the transition books of Matthew to John, transitioning Old Testament to New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ, and Acts of the Apostles which transitions from Jew to Gentile in its focus), the Church Epistles written by Paul – Romans to Philemon, and finally the General Epistles from Hebrews to Revelation, with Hebrews being the transition book from Gentile to Jew in their focus. As we discussed this morning, even though the general epistles were not written directly to us in this mystery period – the dispensation of grace, there is much that Peter, James, John, and Jude say in their letters that agree with Paul's teaching. When there is agreement, we can accept what is written as to us, when something is specifically Jewish, and not reinforced by Paul's writings, it is for us...all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness... Studying out the ministry of reconciliation this morning reminds us that we all have a mission to fulfill in our individual worlds – to seek the reconciliation of our family, friends, and acquaintances to God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The Mystery (Dispensation of the grace of God) which God has hidden “in Christ” since before the world began, “Christ in you the hope of glory” has opened the door of reconciliation for Jew and Gentile alike! There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. All are enemies outside of Christ, and all are family in Christ. Romans 16:25-27, Ephesians 3:1-9, Colossians 1:25-29, 2 Timothy 1:8-11 They are as follows: 1. The Ministry of Reconciliation, which we are all called to participate in – God, in Christ, is actively seeking to reconcile the world to himself. This message connects us all the way back to Adam, who is responsible for alienating all of humanity from God through sin. The faith of the operation of God is reconciliation! Romans 5:1-12, 10:9-13, 11:15, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 Colossians 2:12-15: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 2. The Gospel of the Uncircumcision / Grace – the dispensation of the grace of God revealed to Paul by our Lord Jesus Christ. Progressive revelation establishes this gospel message superseding the message given to the apostles during the ministry of Christ. This gospel connects us to Abram, who believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:1-10, Galatians 2:7 3. The Gospel of the Circumcision – the gospel message that was uniquely Jewish, and preached to Israel / the Jews by the apostles after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Acts 2:29-38, 3:19-26, Galatians 2:7 4. The Gospel of the Kingdom – the gospel message preached by John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. Jesus said if the Jews would accept John's message, he is Elijah. They did not accept his message, and they did not accept the message of Jesus, either. The kingdom has been put on hold until the accepted time of the return of Christ. Psalms 89:34-37, Jeremiah 31;31-34, Matthew 1:17, 3:1-2, 4:17,23, 9:35, 10:7, 24:14 We will continue our study of the four gospels this coming Sunday.
