THE BODY OF CHRIST
THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH-
LESSON 2.
1 Timothy 3:15 “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth –
2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Since God's word has always been that which establishes doctrine in righteousness (instruction unto – 2 Timothy 3:16), and is far more functional than just good stories; as many with limited understand often state; there is a demand from the disciple to accurately establish that which brings them to doctrinal understanding.
This is demonstrated by the Hebrew Christians of the letter that bears their name. They had not grown in the wisdom of Jesus Christ (that which guides the Christian disciple – Colossians 1:9-10; 2 John 9), and were in need of being taught again the very “first principles of the oracles of God” – Hebrews 5:12. Along with the need to re-teach them these first principles, they also displayed, as a peril of not being able to rightly divide the word, a misunderstanding of many of these principles in application, note:
Hebrews 6:1-3 “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.”
Here we see in the underlined portions that they were still debating issues that have been set clearly as foundation; still! From the traditions of the Old Law (dead works), to the baptism of John and the kingdom, etc… All of this having been established for them in God's word, if they were to learn and know it!
Much would be avoided today, concerning apostasy, if this were being practiced!
The New Testament Rightly Divided:
1. Gospels –
The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the books classified as the Gospels.
They cover the time period of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
They establish Jesus as the Messiah of prophecy who would be Him that would bless all men (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 26:4; 28:14; Galatians 3:15-18; 29).
The instruction of these books is preparatory for the coming of the kingdom of God. This was the universal message of both John the Baptist (prepare the way for Him who would come after him – Mark 1:2), and Jesus, note:
Matthew 3:1-2 “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Mark 1:14-15 “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Although it is true that these letters were written after the fact, and given to Christians; they still speak of a time prior to the establishment of the kingdom (in the same way a book written today about the civil war, is still dealing with a time post the results of that war).
These books were written to remind them of the coming of Jesus and His purpose in coming – Luke 1:1-4; Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; and to establish their faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God – Luke 1:1-4; Matthew 16:16; John 1:1-14.
John 20:31 “but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Although these books are full of important lessons in submission, and attitudes necessary to enter the kingdom (Matthew 5:3), and great prophetic teaching of the coming of the kingdom (Matthew 13:44, 45, 47, etc…), and very important explanatory information of things that would be fulfilled at a later date (Matthew 26:26-30 – the Lord's Supper, John 14:15-16, 26; 15:26-27; 16:13-15 – coming of the Spirit to the Apostles, etc…); they were not given to establish doctrine for the kingdom (as they deal with a time prior to the coming of the kingdom).
2. History –
The book of Acts is a record of the early fulfillment of the commission given to the Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The book of Acts is the unfolding of these words in illustrative demonstrations. It stands as the illustrative index of how one becomes a disciple of Christ (we will do a demonstrative exercise of this in the next lesson); then it demonstrates how the disciples of Christ are likewise educated to walk after the Master.
3. Epistles –
These are the letters in your New Testament from Romans to Jude. They are written to Christians! They are written to those who are already disciples of Jesus Christ; whether written to churches (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and 2 John), to Christians in general (Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 3 John, and Jude), or to evangelists (1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus).
In these letters is the content of doctrine! That which gives Christians hope, charges them with the transformation of faith in obedience, and corrects error. It is in the very study of the doctrinal books to Christians, that some of our ability to rightly divide is enhanced (because of the needs of these Christians to do the same), note:
Hebrews 7:18-19 “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”
To the Hebrew Christians, it was revealed in these words the abrogation of the Old Law (Law of Moses), as a system or doctrine of righteousness. It is that “better hope” that now guides us, note:
Hebrews 8:6 “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.”
4. Prophecy –
There is a single book of prophecy in the New Testament of Jesus Christ; it is the book of Revelation. Although it is prophetic in nature, it does not reveal anything apart from what the rest of the New Testament teaches. In fact, the Lord Himself commands the seven churches that they must hear what the Spirit says to the churches (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). This has already transpired by the writing of the epistles to the churches, thus Revelation does not reveal anything apart from that which has been revealed.
It is a book that is written in the language of the prophets of the Old Testament, thus written to people who were familiar with that language.
It was written to give these Christians with Hebrew backgrounds courage and strength for the coming calamity they are about to know.
Revelation 6:10 “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
Revelation 18:20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
The “her” is Jerusalem, which is symbolic of the entire Jewish faith and represents all those who have rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the blood of the Apostles and early saints on their hands. It is the same thing Jesus spoke to His disciples while He was with them in the flesh, note:
Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.”
The Revelation of these events is now at hand, note:
Revelation 1:1-3 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants— things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Summary
God's word to us through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2), is decisively organized and orderly. There are evident markers of division which if used to guide the reader of scripture, an easily determined focus can be achieved as to the true doctrine of Christ, and the expectations of righteousness on the disciples of Christ.
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, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”