Lessons, Letters & THE BOOK

Pensacola, FL 11/1 to 11/3— That’s where I was from Friday afternoon about 1pm to 1PM Sunday. Each year for the last 10, or so, Pastor Byron Wiggins and his “Bible Believer’s” assembly from Pace, FL, hold a Bible conference weekend here. It was a real privilege for me to attend and speak. Pastor Byron never tells us ahead of getting there when or if we are a speaker; it’s just a “be prepared” sort of schedule. This year my speaking time was last on Saturday evening. The congregation at this particular event comes from parts of South Alabama and the Florida panhandle plus a few from far away places—Illinois, Nevada, Louisiana, and this year some folks from Wyoming! What a diverse group! Most stayed through Sunday which is always better for fellowship, though some things “back home” take precedent and cause some to leave early.

You can see the messages preached there on FaceBook — Grace Believers Bible Study Church page. All the messages will contain two extremely important aspects: 1.) how does a person go from being lost with no hope of salvation into eternal life; and 2.) how does a saved person become more in line with God’s will for their life.

In support of Paul writing the simple words concerning whether one might get confused (“..as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ”) our avowed purpose in preaching/teaching is to be clear in our “clarion” call and then read references in the way it is easy for all to gain Scripture support when we relate what we’ve learned.

Answer to number 1.) hear the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation— it’s this: “…how that Christ died for your sins,… he was buried,…and God raised Him from the dead…”—believe it —Trust that work of Christ to be good enough with the Father to save you; or, as Silas and Paul told the jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Since Christ died for our sins, Paul related in Acts 13:38,39 that THE forgiveness of sins was preached and then, when he wrote 2 Corinthians 5, he stated that God had “reconciled the world unto himself, not imputing their transgressions unto them,”—thereby God is no longer angry at anyone. We preach Christ’s cross and His resurrection for people to understand trusting His work will be enough in God’s eyes for Him to grant us His righteousness as a gift for our belief.

Answer to number 2.) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth  not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” That’s study…not work, not do, or don’t do, not strive to be busy, and certainly not get religion-ized, none of those things. But, to study by rightly dividing the word of truth.

I know you can do that for two reasons: the bible is written in about 7th grade grammar and it is in orderly and non-confusing divisions so that all God’s people can find themselves and His will for them by study. Study.

It will bless you beyond your wildest expectations to look at Scripture in the obvious manner it is put together.

To wit, Genesis to Malachi (OT) is all about God’s chosen people before the coming of Christ—all past events. Christ came and said point blank: I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel-Mt.15:24. Then it is best to see and believe it, even if we might desire it had said something different. Subsequently, all of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as the emphasis in the first 12 chapters of the book of Acts — all that is also to, for, and about God confirming His covenantal commitment to them, not to the world in general. (see Rom.15:8)

So then, looking to the end of all things, we see the last 9 books of the bible being to, for, and about the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Fathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who begat the 12 tribes of Israel. Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1,2, & 3 John, Jude and Revelation, all 9 of these show the manner in which God fulfills all the rest of His promises He made in the named Scriptures to the peoples of Israel.

Sound very one-sided to you? It should, because it is! He is God, His way is not our way, His plan is His and His alone and He knows it comes out just right. He cannot be usurped by man’s (His creation) thoughts or plans. Besides, you probably noticed I left out those 13 books (85-100 pages in your Bible, depending on the size type with which your book is printed) found in the middle of what we call the New Testament (NT). 

That would be Romans through Philemon—our Apostle Paul being the writer of the inspired revelation which the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven gave him. Look up (in the King James Bible) the word mystery and see how many times Paul used the word in these 13 books. You find “mystery” or “mysteries” used 20 times by Paul. (Christ used it 3 times, John, in Revelation, 4 times)

Paul wrote about a mystery kept secret since the world began. Then, if it was kept secret since the world began, when he spoke and wrote of it no one knew it ahead of him, did they? He also explained a mystery which had been “hid in God from the beginning of the world.” 

If you look up these two phrases which I highlighted you will find reasons to read what all 20 passages wherein Paul used the word mystery or mysteries is telling you and me about how God our Father, Christ the Son our Savior, and The Holy Spirit our teacher has given us our hope, our redemption, our inheritance with Christ —-We’re His Body! Believing the words written TO US, as opposed to trying to figure out how the words the Lord spoke to others in His grand plan can “fit” that for which we’re chosen will prove very settling and completely fulfilling. Oh, all the Bible is written FOR US, just not all written TO US. (Like letters in our mailbox—some for one person, different ones for others, though we’re all family and may know all the mail, But, someone sends us a specific bit.)

Oh, by the way, I’m glad you’re reading! Thanks! The Elder