Rightly Dividing Grace: 13 Questions Every Christian Needs answered

King James Bible 1611-1769 | Mid-Acts Dispensational Bible Teaching 13 Bible Questions That Reveal the Difference Between Prophecy and Mystery 1 • In the Dispensation of Grace, should financial giving ever replace the responsibility to care for one’s own household? 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Grace giving is voluntary and never replaces personal responsibility. 2 • Did Christ’s death automatically forgive every person, or is forgiveness applied when the gospel is believed? Romans 3:25 “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood…” Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” The cross paid the price, but forgiveness is received by faith. 3 • During His earthly ministry, was the Lord Jesus sent to the nations or specifically to Israel? Matthew 15:24 “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Later, the Gentile ministry was committed to Paul. Romans 11:13 “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles…” 4 • What picture of redemption appears in the relationship between Ruth and Boaz? Ruth 2:12 “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Ruth 3:9 “And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid…” Boaz acts as the kinsman redeemer, foreshadowing Israel’s future redemption. 5 • In Paul’s epistles, does predestination determine who will believe, or the inheritance of those already in Christ? Ephesians 1:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself…” Ephesians 1:11 “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” Predestination describes the destiny of believers, not forced salvation. 6 • When Paul explains salvation for the Body of Christ, does he use the language of the “new birth” or the “new creature”? John 3:3 “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” The new birth belongs to Israel’s kingdom teaching; Paul reveals the new creature. 7 • In Acts 15, were the apostles already functioning under the New Covenant promised to Israel? Jeremiah 31:31 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” The New Covenant belongs to Israel’s future kingdom. 8 • In the present dispensation, is the house of God a physical structure or the assembly of believers? 1 Timothy 3:15 “…the house of God, which is the church of the living God…” Ephesians 2:22 “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Believers themselves are God’s dwelling place today. 9 • At what moment in Acts 9 did Saul of Tarsus receive mercy from the risen Christ? Acts 9:5 “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest…” 1 Timothy 1:16 “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering…” Paul becomes the pattern of grace salvation. 10 • Has the national restoration of Israel already occurred, or does Scripture place it in the future? Romans 11:25–26 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery… that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved…” Israel’s salvation as a nation lies ahead. 11 • What event marks the close of this present dispensation and the resumption of Israel’s prophetic program? 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…” The catching up of the Body of Christ precedes the prophetic events to come. 12 • In his second epistle, was Peter writing doctrinal instruction to the Body of Christ or to the scattered Jewish remnant? 2 Peter 3:15 “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you.” Peter acknowledges Paul’s distinct ministry. 13 • If in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, how should national distinctions be viewed in the Body of Christ? Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles…” All believers today share the same standing in the Body