Rightly dividing the Word of truth

We consider ourselves “ancient Baptists” by description, as we are not interested in the modern, liberal, socialistic, politically-correct, denominational “Baptist” and his ideology. We want what the ancient Baptists had; we want to be what they were. We do not suggest that we are their equals on any level; we do however, profess to believe what they believed and we strive to demonstrate these teachings in our practices.

 The study of God and His dealings with men.  THEOLOGY can be broken down into two types  Baptist Theology (Dispensational)  Covenant Theology As Baptists we are not Covenant Theologians We are Dispensational A Dispensation always deals with a period of time The Dangers of Hyper-Dispensational teaching are avoided by literal interpretation instead of figurative.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Every Christian should know how to rightly divide the word of truth. NOT TOPICALLY (This is not wrong to do) – Salvation, Marriage, Childrearing, Finances, Entertainment, Leadership, the Home, etc… Rightly Divide according to – Jewish or Gentile time frame, Israel or the Church, the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God Topical study can be easily taken out of context without Rightly Dividing the Word

 Baptist or Dispensational Theology Old Testament = New Testament The New Testament begins with the Resurrection Hebrews 9:16 God deals with us as individuals Israel = Church

Dispensation – “administration” “order” “stewardship” We know the word as “economy” “It doesn’t bother me for someone to talk about dispensations, and it doesn’t bother me for people to divide the Bible, as long as they do not divide it up concerning the plan of salvation, concerning the power of God, and concerning soul winning! People can be saved today like they were in the book of Acts! God’s people can have revival just like they always could.” Dr. Jack Hyles 1993 “Enemies of Soul Winning” page 16 To speak of Dispensations is totally different than speaking about the 7 churches of Revelation prophetically.

Dispensation – “administration” “order” “stewardship” We know the word as “economy” A Dispensation always deals with a period of time God's ways with men have differed in various ages. A dispensation then is a period of time in which God is dealing with men in some way in which He has not dealt with them before. Some have ignored dispensational truth altogether. Others have swung to an ultra-dispensationalism position. Instead of a progressive revelation of God’s Salvation they hold to different salvation plans in different dispensations. To have a dispensational view of the Bible is not heresy God’s Plan of Salvation is the same throughout His Word. Revelation 13:8, 17:8 and I Peter 1:20 The Dangers of Hyper-Dispensational teaching are avoided by literal interpretation instead of figurative.

Dispensation – “administration” “order” “stewardship” We know the word as “economy” I am “lightly” dispensational I am about as dispensational as the Apostle Paul 1 Corinthians 9:17 “For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” Ephesians 1:10 “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:“ Ephesians 3:2-7 “ If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you- ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: The mystery is the church not a new plan of salvation 7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. “ The Dangers of Hyper-Dispensational teaching are avoided by literal interpretation instead of figurative.

Dispensation – a dispensing or a giving or a revealing I am “lightly” dispensational I am about as dispensational as the Apostle Paul Colossians1:25-29 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Dispensational Overview A very simple dispensational division is Jewish (O.T.) and Gentile (N.T.) Innocence Conscience Human Promise Law Grace Millennium Government After the Fall Tower of Babel Noah after the Flood AbrahamMosesLocal ChurchJesus Christ FallFlood Eden Bondage in Egypt Babylonian Captivity RaptureBattle of Revolt In an overview of world history seven dispensations are seen. Each dispensation begins with a covenant and ends in judgment. Galatians 3:8

Dispensational Overview A very simple dispensational division is Jewish (O.T.) and Gentile (N.T.) Innocence Conscience Human Promise Law Grace Millennium Government After the Fall Tower of Babel Noah after the Flood AbrahamMosesLocal ChurchJesus Christ FallFlood Eden Bondage in Egypt Babylonian Captivity RaptureBattle of Revolt In an overview of world history seven dispensations are seen. Each dispensation begins with a covenant and ends in judgment. Galatians 3:8 Noahic Covenant Genesis 9:5-12 Sinaitic Covenant Genesis 19:5 Davidic Covenant II Samuel 7:11-16 II Samuel 23:5 Messianic or Christian Covenant Matthew 26:28 The NEW Covenant Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 8-9

The Dangers of Hyper-Dispensational teaching are avoided by literal interpretation instead of figurative.

 Covenant Theology or Dominion Theology Old Testament = New Testament What Israel could do in the Old Testament the Church must do in the New Testament Circumcision is the token of the Old Testament Covenant Infant Baptism is the token of the New Testament Covenant Priests in the Old Testament Priests in the New Testament Old Testament National Theocracy New Testament Kingdom Theocracy

Their emphasis is kingdom building and world domination Covenant Theology Pre-millennial Post-millennial CreationEvolution 1,000 year reign Our Emphasis is Soul Winning and Church Planting

Covenant Theology Pre-millennial Post-millennial 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Remember: God commands us to rightly divide the Word of truth because some wrongly divide the Word of truth. church builders not kingdom builders

The Catholic Church is either the masterpiece of Satan, or the kingdom of the Son of God – Archbishop Manning (Catholic priest)