Is all of the Bible written to us

[Peterlag]

I do not know why we have so many Christians who believe the entire Bible is written directly to them, the Church of God. There is nothing in the Bible to indicate such thinking, and I would like to add nothing could be further from the truth. It's true the Word of God was written for everyone for all time, and it's for our learning because it contains what everyone should know. That does not mean every part of it is addressed to everyone in this time, because the subject matter was written either to the Jews, to the Gentiles, or to the Church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32).

To rightly understand the Word of God, one must understand what part is written to the Church of God and what part is written for the learning of the Church. Every word from Genesis 1:1, to Revelation 22:21, is written for our learning. However, not all of the words from Genesis 1:1, to Revelation 22:21, are addressed to us. We must learn to distinguish not only the various people, but also the different time periods God has spoken to if we want to understand the written Word of God. The time God spoke to the children of Israel is not the same time period He has spoken to us. The time He spoke to the prophets in the time of the Old Testament is not the same time period He spoke to His Son Jesus Christ in the time of the gospels.

Administrations must be adapted to the time periods in which they are carried out. The administration with Adam before the fall was different from the one with his immediate family after the fall. The administration with Israel “under the law” was carried out on different principles from the present administration of Grace. This present administration is different from the one that will characterize the return of Christ. The administration of Judgment will be different from the one that will belong to the administration of Glory, when all things shall be gathered together in one under the headship of Christ.

We will never understand the truth of God’s Word if we neglect to rightly divide the subject matter. As far as we are concerned in this Grace administration, what happened to Israel in the Old Testament was written for our learning. If we do not rightly divide to whom it's addressed—the Jew, Gentile, or the Church of God, we will use one truth to contradict another truth, and we will use what is true for one group in contrast to what is also true for another group.

These different administrations are suited to different times because God has spoken everything to its proper time and administration. We will never understand the truth of God’s Word if we read into one administration what God tells us belongs to another administration. If we believe what God said in one administration and carry it into another administration that was on a different principle, we will be taking what is true for one time, and using it to contradict what is also true for another time. When we mix them all together, by jumbling the whole Bible together: Law, Gospel, Grace, Judgment, Glory, Jew, Gentile, and the Church of God, we will be very confused in our understanding of the truth of God’s Word.

 

[Cnkw3]

I do not know why we have so many Christians who believe the entire Bible is written directly to them, the Church of God. There is nothing in the Bible to indicate such thinking, and I would like to add nothing could be further from the truth. It's true the Word of God was written for everyone for all time, and it's for our learning because it contains what everyone should know. That does not mean every part of it is addressed to everyone in this time, because the subject matter was written either to the Jews, to the Gentiles, or to the Church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32).

To rightly understand the Word of God, one must understand what part is written to the Church of God and what part is written for the learning of the Church. Every word from Genesis 1:1, to Revelation 22:21, is written for our learning. However, not all of the words from Genesis 1:1, to Revelation 22:21, are addressed to us. We must learn to distinguish not only the various people, but also the different time periods God has spoken to if we want to understand the written Word of God. The time God spoke to the children of Israel is not the same time period He has spoken to us. The time He spoke to the prophets in the time of the Old Testament is not the same time period He spoke to His Son Jesus Christ in the time of the gospels.

Administrations must be adapted to the time periods in which they are carried out. The administration with Adam before the fall was different from the one with his immediate family after the fall. The administration with Israel “under the law” was carried out on different principles from the present administration of Grace. This present administration is different from the one that will characterize the return of Christ. The administration of Judgment will be different from the one that will belong to the administration of Glory, when all things shall be gathered together in one under the headship of Christ.

We will never understand the truth of God’s Word if we neglect to rightly divide the subject matter. As far as we are concerned in this Grace administration, what happened to Israel in the Old Testament was written for our learning. If we do not rightly divide to whom it's addressed—the Jew, Gentile, or the Church of God, we will use one truth to contradict another truth, and we will use what is true for one group in contrast to what is also true for another group.

These different administrations are suited to different times because God has spoken everything to its proper time and administration. We will never understand the truth of God’s Word if we read into one administration what God tells us belongs to another administration. If we believe what God said in one administration and carry it into another administration that was on a different principle, we will be taking what is true for one time, and using it to contradict what is also true for another time. When we mix them all together, by jumbling the whole Bible together: Law, Gospel, Grace, Judgment, Glory, Jew, Gentile, and the Church of God, we will be very confused in our understanding of the truth of God’s Word.

Do you have any examples for today? How people get this confused? Ive got one….
The thief on the cross.
The thief lived while the old law was still in effect. The gospel of Jesus Christ did not begin to be preached until after the great commission, which came after his resurrection. The first gospel sermon was presented in acts 2 on Pentecost so we can NOT be saved in the same manner as the thief. He lived under a different covenant and too was face to face with Jesus. But, people love to go to the thief on the cross and say…..see, no water baptism. Therefore I too can be saved with no water.
The problem is…..the thief never heard the great commission message of the gospel. He never heard…..Hear the gospel (including his resurrection) he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. MK 16:15,16
But we, who are now under the new covenant, all have heard this. It was delivered to us. We can accept it and be obedient or deny it to our own peril.

 

[Peterlag]

Do you have any examples for today? How people get this confused? Ive got one….
The thief on the cross.
The thief lived while the old law was still in effect. The gospel of Jesus Christ did not begin to be preached until after the great commission, which came after his resurrection. The first gospel sermon was presented in acts 2 on Pentecost so we can NOT be saved in the same manner as the thief. He lived under a different covenant and too was face to face with Jesus. But, people love to go to the thief on the cross and say…..see, no water baptism. Therefore I too can be saved with no water.
The problem is…..the thief never heard the great commission message of the gospel. He never heard…..Hear the gospel (including his resurrection) he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. MK 16:15,16
But we, who are now under the new covenant, all have heard this. It was delivered to us. We can accept it and be obedient or deny it to our own peril.

You make some great points. Here's what I know about those different time periods...
The different time periods in the Bible are called dispensations. The Greek word for “dispensation” is “oikonomia” meaning the act of administering. The word “o’kos” means house, and “nemo” means to dispense, to weigh or deal out, as a steward or housekeeper. Therefore, the word was used to manage or administrate a household. The word is used three times in Luke 16:2-4, where it's translated “stewardship.” In four other places it's translated “dispensation.” I like the word administration because it communicates very well with our current English language. We must understand these administrations have different time periods in the Bible and each have their own beginning and their own ending—with the exception of the last one.

The first is called the Paradise administration. It was the time of innocence, the time before the fall that ends with Adam and Eve being expelled from the garden of the original paradise.

The second is the Patriarchal administration. It was the time after the fall from the Garden of Eden, but before the Law was given. This second administration ended with the coming of the Law to Moses.

The third is the Legal administration. It's suited only to Israel under the Law, and is sometimes called the Mosaic Law that terminated when Jesus Christ died.

The fourth is the Christ administration that overlapped and functioned within the Law administration. Both the Law and the Christ administration officially ended with the coming of Pentecost.

The fifth started on the day of Pentecost as recorded in the second chapter of the book of Acts. This is the present administration of Grace that is for the Church of God. It's the time period you and I now belong to because it's the Grace administration, without any distinction made between the Jew and the Gentile, which will end with the appearing of Jesus Christ.

The sixth begins with the appearing of Jesus Christ, and the gathering together of the saints. Believe it or not, this administration ends with Satan destroyed, and the great white throne judgment.

The seventh is the Glory or Paradise administration, which will not have an ending.

 

[for_his_glory]

There are types and shadows in the OT as it describes a model or a pattern in the NT that is fulfilled in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. The new is in the OT concealed and the old is in the NT revealed. Without the OT there would be no NT.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Ah, Dispensationalism..which I hear is making its way out. From observation, it provides its adherents a reason to ignore parts of Jesus’ teaching at will. Don’t like a teaching of Jesus that asks you to do something uncomfortable? Just assign it to a different “dispensation” and you’re free from keeping all his teaching. Pretty convenient.

 

[Cnkw3]

You make some great points. Here's what I know about those different time periods...
The different time periods in the Bible are called dispensations. The Greek word for “dispensation” is “oikonomia” meaning the act of administering. The word “o’kos” means house, and “nemo” means to dispense, to weigh or deal out, as a steward or housekeeper. Therefore, the word was used to manage or administrate a household. The word is used three times in Luke 16:2-4, where it's translated “stewardship.” In four other places it's translated “dispensation.” I like the word administration because it communicates very well with our current English language. We must understand these administrations have different time periods in the Bible and each have their own beginning and their own ending—with the exception of the last one.

The first is called the Paradise administration. It was the time of innocence, the time before the fall that ends with Adam and Eve being expelled from the garden of the original paradise.

The second is the Patriarchal administration. It was the time after the fall from the Garden of Eden, but before the Law was given. This second administration ended with the coming of the Law to Moses.

The third is the Legal administration. It's suited only to Israel under the Law, and is sometimes called the Mosaic Law that terminated when Jesus Christ died.

The fourth is the Christ administration that overlapped and functioned within the Law administration. Both the Law and the Christ administration officially ended with the coming of Pentecost.

The fifth started on the day of Pentecost as recorded in the second chapter of the book of Acts. This is the present administration of Grace that is for the Church of God. It's the time period you and I now belong to because it's the Grace administration, without any distinction made between the Jew and the Gentile, which will end with the appearing of Jesus Christ.

The sixth begins with the appearing of Jesus Christ, and the gathering together of the saints. Believe it or not, this administration ends with Satan destroyed, and the great white throne judgment.

The seventh is the Glory or Paradise administration, which will not have an ending.

I do not believe in the “Christ administration“ ending when he died. Pentecost was just a continuation of the teachings of Jesus. We know that because he promised the apostles, those who were to continue his message, that He would send the Spirit who would bring them into remembrance of all that he taught. Jn 14:26. Why do that if his teachings had an ending point. The OT dispensation did come to an end at the cross though and we know that because that is what we are taught. Col 2:14. Heb 10:9

 

[Cnkw3]

Ah, Dispensationalism..which I hear is making its way out. From observation, it provides its adherents a reason to ignore parts of Jesus’ teaching at will. Don’t like a teaching of Jesus that asks you to do something uncomfortable? Just assign it to a different “dispensation” and you’re free from keeping all his teaching. Pretty convenient.

There are dispensations within the Bible but I do not believe, as I explained above, that the teachings of christ ever had an ending. The gospel, that we are subject to, definitely had a beginning because the gospel that brings about salvation for us today has its foundation in the resurrection so it could not go into effect until after there was a resurrection.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

There are dispensations within the Bible but I do not believe, as I explained above, that the teachings of christ ever had an ending. The gospel, that we are subject to, definitely had a beginning because the gospel that brings about salvation for us today has its foundation in the resurrection so it could not go into effect until after there was a resurrection.

There are no dispensations in the Bible. There are covenants which is an agreement between God and man. It’s a relationship from day 1 until now, not partitions of governing principles void of relationships like the law is. God make covenants, not different laws.

 

[Cnkw3]

There are no dispensations in the Bible. There are covenants which is an agreement between God and man. It’s a relationship from day 1 until now, not partitions of governing principles void of relationships like the law is. God make covenants, not different laws.

Call them whatever you want but Gods “covenants” have changed through the years which means there is a new system of order and governance existing at a particular time, which by the way is the definition of “dispensation”.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Call them whatever you want but Gods “covenants” have changed through the years which means there is a new system of order and governance existing at a particular time, which by the way is the definition of “dispensation”.

No, a covenant is between two agreeing living parties. A dispensation is a cold impersonal division requiring no warm personal involvement. They couldn’t be more different.

 

[Mungo]

There are no dispensations in the Bible. There are covenants which is an agreement between God and man. It’s a relationship from day 1 until now, not partitions of governing principles void of relationships like the law is. God make covenants, not different laws.

I partly agree with this.
Regarding dispensation I believe that when Paul uses the term as in "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward" Eph 3:2 - KJV), he is not referring to a time period of administration but to a method of administration.

From the Oxford English Dictionary
dispensation
noun
1 the action of dispensing.

dispense
verb
1 distribute to a number of people. (of a machine or container) supply or release (a product or cash). (of a chemist) supply (medicine) according to a prescription.
2 (dispense with) get rid of or manage without.
3 exempt (someone) from a religious obligation.

ORIGIN
Middle English: via Old French from Latin dispensare 'continue to weigh out or disburse', from dispendere, based on pendere 'weigh'.

Dispensation is not therefore about a time period but a method of administration - how something is dispensed (distributed/given out). In the example of Eph 3:2 it is how God grace is given to us.

Regarding your statement "God make covenants, not different laws" I believe , yes does make covenants but different covenants may have different laws specific to that covenant. We therefore ned to understand which covenant we have with God to know what in the Bible is applicable to us.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

I partly agree with this.
Regarding dispensation I believe that when Paul uses the term as in "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward" Eph 3:2 - KJV), he is not referring to a time period of administration but to a method of administration.

From the Oxford English Dictionary
dispensation
noun
1 the action of dispensing.

dispense
verb
1 distribute to a number of people. (of a machine or container) supply or release (a product or cash). (of a chemist) supply (medicine) according to a prescription.
2 (dispense with) get rid of or manage without.
3 exempt (someone) from a religious obligation.

ORIGIN
Middle English: via Old French from Latin dispensare 'continue to weigh out or disburse', from dispendere, based on pendere 'weigh'.

Dispensation is not therefore about a time period but a method of administration - how something is dispensed (distributed/given out). In the example of Eph 3:2 it is how God grace is given to us.

Regarding your statement "God make covenants, not different laws" I believe , yes does make covenants but different covenants may have different laws specific to that covenant. We therefore ned to understand which covenant we have with God to know what in the Bible is applicable to us.

I agree with all of the above. Pretty good analysis, I have to say.

 

[Peterlag]

I do not believe in the “Christ administration“ ending when he died. Pentecost was just a continuation of the teachings of Jesus. We know that because he promised the apostles, those who were to continue his message, that He would send the Spirit who would bring them into remembrance of all that he taught. Jn 14:26. Why do that if his teachings had an ending point. The OT dispensation did come to an end at the cross though and we know that because that is what we are taught. Col 2:14. Heb 10:9

Then do you believe the following?

We undergo a miraculous exchange at the center of our being once we have the spirit of Christ. Who we were in Adam is no longer there. We become a new person because we are now a child of God who is in Christ. The key event causing this exchange is a death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. This miraculous exchange is not figurative or symbolic, but literal and actual.

The spiritual part of every Christian has literally and actually been crucified, buried, and raised with Christ. The fact that this occurs spiritually and not physically doesn’t make it any less real. So what happens to the old self that was in Adam? The old self is entirely obliterated once the spirit of Christ enters the Christian.

I know this comes as a complete shock to many of you who have been indoctrinated in the-old-nature-versus-the-new-nature theology. Most Christians have been taught to believe that after salvation, they are still the same at their core, and they live the rest of their lives trying to restrain this old nature. They believe they have two natures.

 

[Cnkw3]

Then do you believe the following?

We undergo a miraculous exchange at the center of our being once we have the spirit of Christ.

no

Who we were in Adam is no longer there.

no. Unless you are talking about the sins we have committed before conversion.

We become a new person because we are now a child of God who is in Christ.

We should become a new person

The key event causing this exchange is a death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. This miraculous exchange is not figurative or symbolic, but literal and actual.

That event made it possible for us to have our sins forgiven.

The spiritual part of every Christian has literally and actually been crucified, buried, and raised with Christ. The fact that this occurs spiritually and not physically doesn’t make it any less real. So what happens to the old self that was in Adam? The old self is entirely obliterated once the spirit of Christ enters the Christian.

I believe that when one obeys the gospel the old man and his sins is done away with in that God will not remember any of those sins but we still have temptation to deal with Just Like Adam and just like all humanity. That will never go away and we will sometimes be overtaken by temptation. That will never change. The change is now we have the blood of Christ that can continue to forgive sins so we dont have to sacrifice an animal anymore.

I know this comes as a complete shock to many of you who have been indoctrinated in the-old-nature-versus-the-new-nature theology. Most Christians have been taught to believe that after salvation, they are still the same at their core, and they live the rest of their lives trying to restrain this old nature. They believe they have two natures.

I dont believe in two “natures”. I believe we all have one nature….human nature. All human beings including you will always have to deal with temptation. That will never go away. If you give in to the temptation then you will sin but those that have been baptized into Christ have the ability to repent, confess and pray and the blood of Christ cleanses them. 1 Jn 1:6-10. Acts 8:20-23

 

[Consecrated Life]

Luk 22:62
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

As Peter's countenance fell due to his sin this is the biblical example of the negative spiritual impact our sin nature , which will be with us until the day we stop breathing , should have on a saved person when they do sin as well.
The difference being that before being saved sinning resulted in not a single tear being shed.
There was not even an awareness of sin prior to Christ taking up residence in the heart.
If you are in Christ you are now acutely aware of sin, and when you do sin there is a heavy spiritual penalty to be paid, and out testimony becomes circumscribed.

 

[Peterlag]

no

no. Unless you are talking about the sins we have committed before conversion.

We should become a new person

That event made it possible for us to have our sins forgiven.

I believe that when one obeys the gospel the old man and his sins is done away with in that God will not remember any of those sins but we still have temptation to deal with Just Like Adam and just like all humanity. That will never go away and we will sometimes be overtaken by temptation. That will never change. The change is now we have the blood of Christ that can continue to forgive sins so we dont have to sacrifice an animal anymore.

I dont believe in two “natures”. I believe we all have one nature….human nature. All human beings including you will always have to deal with temptation. That will never go away. If you give in to the temptation then you will sin but those that have been baptized into Christ have the ability to repent, confess and pray and the blood of Christ cleanses them. 1 Jn 1:6-10. Acts 8:20-23

So we disagree. You believe you live in the flesh and are tempted and have to try to clean up your flesh and confess your sins. It's a basic Catholic doctrine. I don't have these temptations because I walk in the spirit. Behold it is written walk in the spirit and you will not full fill the lust of the flesh.

 

[Consecrated Life]

So we disagree. You believe you live in the flesh and are tempted and have to try to clean up your flesh and confess your sins. It's a basic Catholic doctrine. I don't have these temptations because I walk in the spirit. Behold it is written walk in the spirit and you will not full fill the lust of the flesh.

"Tempted" & "Fulfil" are two different things.
Your lack of spiritual discernment is showing.
The Lord Jesus was "Tempted" just as we are, yet never once fulfilling the temptation as we do.
And even Christ Himself never spoke pridefully of His sinless nature.
He only alluded to it when He was being accused & attacked saying:
" What sin is it you accuse me of ? "
He never made prideful declaration of it as you have done .

Do you even realize that by virtue of laying claim for yourself to not only never sinning, but never even being tempted to be jealous, greedy, angry, etc,etc,,,& etc, you have not only been tempted but you have fulfilled the one sin that God says He hates the most?
I suspect you are not even aware of this sin you have fulfilled before the eyes of all reading it.
The sin of pride.
"

Pro 16:18
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

 

[Edward]

The Lord Jesus was "Tempted" just as we are, yet never once fulfilling the temptation as we do.

So we're not sinless in the flesh ,am. only the spirit man. We have been given a new spirit and all things are made new (spiritually). Jesus had to overcome it and endure it.
So do we. Jesus did it, we can't yet. So I think the thing is, we are not sinless par se but we strive to be sinless and to be led by the Spirit. So we're constantly asking forgiveness for the times we do slip. Like King David did. He messed up a lot but walked with God also and was caled a man after God's own heart.

So I am the righteousness of God in Christ (my spirit man) and this is how God sees me for He has no dealings with the flesh.

Matthew 24:
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved..../

Sounds like yesterdays newspaper. But there is good news because he who endures to the end shall be saved!

 

[Cnkw3]

So we disagree. You believe you live in the flesh and are tempted and have to try to clean up your flesh and confess your sins. It's a basic Catholic doctrine. I don't have these temptations because I walk in the spirit. Behold it is written walk in the spirit and you will not full fill the lust of the flesh.

You have no temptations? Ok….lucky you! I guess you are one of those people too that never sin anymore?

 

[Consecrated Life]

So we're not sinless in the flesh ,am. only the spirit man. We have been given a new spirit and all things are made new (spiritually). Jesus had to overcome it and endure it.
So do we. Jesus did it, we can't yet. So I think the thing is, we are not sinless par se but we strive to be sinless and to be led by the Spirit. So we're constantly asking forgiveness for the times we do slip. Like King David did. He messed up a lot but walked with God also and was caled a man after God's own heart.

Yes this state that we are now in , new creations yet still in the old flesh not yet being fully transformed , still having, and now being acutely aware of our sin nature is broken down for us in scripture by John who wrote:

1Jo 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Meaning when we see Him face to face, either by physical death or Him coming to get us we will be like Him who has no sin nature.
That is so exciting to me to know the day is coming when I see Him that my sin nature will be gone forever.