An Acts 28 Dispensational Bible Study Site

Dispensational

Chronology (Canon-wise)

True Key - Col. 1:25, 26 False - Col. 2:8

The completed canon of scripture prior to the destruction of Jerusalem - 69-70 A.D. - assures us that the traditional claims, "dating the writings of the Apostle John between 85-100 A.D," are false. (See "The Mystery" - God's Sacred Secret to Complete the Word of God.)

Strange as it may seem, it is the rightness of the approximate reality of the so-called "fixed" dates which enables us to be sure in our findings. Namely, that a give-or-take of two years would reconcile any differences over these last 2,000 years - after all, whatever differences may or may not be are still a historical tradition.


THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND THE FREE WILL OF MAN

That God is sovereign is a fact beyond dispute, for the scriptures declare it in hundreds of ways. Likewise, the free moral agency of man is also declared beyond question. Consequently, the differences of Calvinism and Arminianism are varied, and both have plenty of scripture to support their views. Hence, to avoid the problem many hold that these two positions are but two lines of teaching in scripture that run side by side but never meet. Many settle the matter by Abraham's statement: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. 18:25)


"THE MYSTERY As An Adjunct to the Dispensation of Grace

To me, "Grace is the energizing force of God's love toward all who will receive it." Others have said it is "God's love in action." Webster's Dictionary defines grace, in its theological setting, as "the unmerited love and favor of God toward man," etc. Just pick the one you like best!

The fact is that every dispensation of God is an adjunct to Grace; for without Grace, whether it be The Revealed Plan or The Hidden Purpose, (see our papers, "My Gospel" and "The Mystery - As is Now Revealed") they would not - - nor could they - - function. Take, for example, the case of Cain and Abel. Abel was accepted (Gen. 4:4, Heb. 11:4), and Cain was rejected (Gen. 4:3, 5-25). It follows, Cain and Abel would typify The Revealed Plan; whereas Eph. 2:8a ("for by grace you are") would typify The Hidden Purpose. As you can see, Grace is not a new means of God's activity, but is as old as time.


"THE MYSTERY" - Its Prophetic Content (I Tim. 4:1-5; II Tim. 3:1-9)

PART I

"Now the Spirit in spoken words says that in the latter times (specific) some will depart (apostasize) the faith, attending to seducing (planetary) spirits and teachings of demons, in men of hypocrisy speaking lies having been branded on their own conscience; forbidding to marry, to abstain from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth. Because every creature is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer." (Free Translation - I Tim. 4:1-5 - very literal.)

Our Lord, on the night before He was betrayed, spoke to His apostles about the Holy Spirit, "I will send Him unto you" (John 16:7b ). "Howbeit when He, the spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth, ...and He will show you things to come." (John 16:13)

Our Lord also energized the Apostle Paul to write, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: But whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Heb. 13:4)


THE OUT-FROM RESURRECTION Philippians 3:11

 1. CONCERNING OUR LORD - - HIS OUT-FROM RESURRECTION. "Declared the Son of God in power (inherent) according to the Spirit of Holiness out-from a resurrection of the dead." (Rom. 1:4) "...Neither wilt thou suffer shine Holy One to see corruption" (Psa. 16:10)

2. CONCERNING " INTERVENTION" - - THE KEY TO OUT-FROM RESURRECTION. "...the testimony of our Lord...God... hath saved us and called us with a Holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but now made manifest through the intervention (to SHINE upon) of our Saviour Christ Jesus, abrogating on one hand death, bringing to light on the other life (eternal) and incorruption..." (II Tim. 1:8-10) [The words in bold are from the Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, Marshall's literal English translation with the Nestle Greek text.]