Bible Study MAB

[JM]

Thought you might like to see this: The Mid-Acts Bible Foundation is currently developing the first Mid-Acts Commentary Bible (MAB) which will be released in October of 2006. The MAB will use the King James Version and will include a general introduction to the Bible and how to study it dispensationally, introductions to each book, color maps, time lines and much more. The MAB will also include over 7,000 study notes and 50 page topical indexes which will be used in conjunction with the King James Version.


We believe that no other study Bible does a thorough job of explaining the Word of God from the perspective of the mystery that was hid in God with the divine purpose of making Jew and Gentiles a new man, which is the Church, the Body of Christ. This revelation was committed to the apostle Paul beginning in Acts 9, and it’s in his writings alone that we find our position, doctrine, and walk in the Lord during this dispensation of grace.
During this development time of the MAB, we will release a commentary on each book as it is completed. These commentaries can be downloaded free of charge and redistributed at will.

If you have any questions, please use the contact us button located on the left side of the screen.

In Him,

William Muenchow
Mid-Acts Bible Foundation



http://midactsbible.com/

 

[farley]

It will be interesting to see what the difference is between a study Bible, and a commentary Bible.

I don't guess that I've investigated every study Bible out there, but of the ones I have, they all taught OSAS and pre-mil.

As far as teaching dispensationalism, C.I. Scofield has pretty well muddied the water enough as it is.

Just give me a simple, size large, genuine leather bound, red-letter, giant print, center column, reference Bible.

Since no commentary has been found to be dead on, throughout the whole Bible, I'll just keep piecing together my own understanding of the truth from many commentaries.

In Christ,

farley

 

[JM]

It will be interesting to see what the difference is between a study Bible, and a commentary Bible.

I don't guess that I've investigated every study Bible out there, but of the ones I have, they all taught OSAS and pre-mil.

As far as teaching dispensationalism, C.I. Scofield has pretty well muddied the water enough as it is.

Just give me a simple, size large, genuine leather bound, red-letter, giant print, center column, reference Bible.

Since no commentary has been found to be dead on, throughout the whole Bible, I'll just keep piecing together my own understanding of the truth from many commentaries.

In Christ,

farley

If you want study notes and commentaries, you have to buy a study bible with commentary.

:D

 

[farley]

JM,

I took a peek at the Doctrinal Statement posted at site you have linked above. See below...

Doctrinal Statement
The verbal inspiration and plenary authority of the Bible in its original writings.
The eternal Trinity of the Godhead.
The eternal deity and spotless humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The total depravity of humanity by nature.
The perseverance of the saints
Salvation by grace, through faith in the crucified and risen Christ.
The personality and deity of the Holy Spirit.
The atonement for those who were elected to salvation
The essential unity of all believers of this present dispensation as members of the one true church, the Body of Christ.
The privilege and duty of all the saved to walk as children of the light.
The communion of the Lord's supper "until He comes."
The one divine and spiritual baptism by which believers are made members of the Body of Christ at conversion as the only baptism necessary in God's spiritual program in this dispensation of the Grace of God.
The resurrection of the body.
The pretribulation rapture of the members of the Body of Christ.
The personal, premillennial return of Christ to reign on earth.
The eternal punishment of the unsaved dead.
The worldwide preaching of the gospel of the Grace of God.

I've yet to fully grasp the relationship between all of Calvin's tenets.

Could you, or hopefully, someone, explain to me how "Salvation by grace, through faith in the crucified and risen Christ.", isn't automatically excluded by the effects of predestination. Which, as I understand it, finds each soul of humanity predetermined, before birth, to either be elected to eternal salvation (life), or condemned to eternal torment (death).

BTW, in my view, study notes, themselves, are a commentary.

In Christ,

farley

 

[JM]

Good question and I'm glad you asked, most folks just dismiss the Doctrines of Grace without diggin' deeper.

I like to start with the Covenant of Redemption in eternity past, where the Triune Godhead entered "into an everlasting agreement with one another in the Covenant of Redemption to save by grace certain members of Adam’s fallen race (Hebrews 13:20-21)." This Covenant is over arching and covers all those who will be saved, in any dispensation of time, according to the revelation given by God to His elect peoples. Thiessens Systematic Theology covers this nicely.

Now we get into the ditty gritty.

Supralapsarianism

• Elect some, reprobate rest
  Create
  Permit Fall
  Provide salvation for elect
  Call elect to salvation

Infralapsarianism

• Create
  Permit Fall
  Elect some, pass over the rest
  Provide salvation for elect
  Call elect to salvation

Amyraldism (4 pointer)

• Create
  Permit Fall
  Provide salvation sufficient for all
  Elect some, pass over rest
  Call elect to salvation

Arminianism

• Create
  Permit Fall
  Provide salvation for all
  Call all to salvation
  Elect those who believe

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/sup_infr.htm

When you wrote, "as I understand it, finds each soul of humanity predetermined, before birth, to either be elected to eternal salvation (life), or condemned to eternal torment (death)" you refer to supralapsarianism. I tend to believe infralapsarianism.

Quote
Infralapsarians argue for this order:

• (1) God decreed the creation of mankind, a good, blessed creation, not marred or flawed.
  
  (2) God decreed mankind would be allowed to fall through its own self determination.
  
  (3) God decreed to save some of the fallen.
  
  (4) God decreed to leave the rest to their just fate of condemnation.
  
  (5) God provides the Redeemer for the saved.
  
  (6) God sends the Holy Spirit to effect redemption among the saved.

Point 6 is where your question can find an answer, the Holy Spirit effects the change in the heart of the sinner. If you are spiritually dead, how can you believe? You can't. When you are set free by God you are set free indeed and believe...you have faith. Even the lost may have faith, you may contend, but even the demons believe and tremble. True saying faith is a gift of God.

Is faith a work? 1 Thessalonians 1:3 and John 6 Listed by Paul as a fruit of the Spirit is faith.

Peace,

jason

 

[farley]

JM,

Thanks for the response, and the link!

I never dreamed there would be so many "-ism's" attached to an already complex subject.

Also, thanks for your post in the elect thread @ the Apol. & Theol. forum next door. I'm about to change my view somewhat, regarding election/predestination/OSAS.

I'm starting to think that only SOME of the flock are predestined, most will have to earn their salvation by believing and obeying. After all, narrow is the gate, and few that find it, doesn't seem to be speaking to the elect, does it? And, other sheep (folds?), to make up the flock? What do you think?

If the elect is Israel, then the non-elect, the Gentiles, must be those who the grace, faith, works, etc., are meant for.

In Christ,

farley

 

[wavy]

how to study it dispensationally

Well, that already tells me something about it. I see most of the things listed above as the commandments and doctrines of men.

Whatever happened to studying the bible IN TRUTH?

 

[JM]

JM,

Thanks for the response, and the link!

I never dreamed there would be so many "-ism's" attached to an already complex subject.

Also, thanks for your post in the elect thread @ the Apol. & Theol. forum next door. I'm about to change my view somewhat, regarding election/predestination/OSAS.

I'm starting to think that only SOME of the flock are predestined, most will have to earn their salvation by believing and obeying. After all, narrow is the gate, and few that find it, doesn't seem to be speaking to the elect, does it? And, other sheep (folds?), to make up the flock? What do you think?

If the elect is Israel, then the non-elect, the Gentiles, must be those who the grace, faith, works, etc., are meant for.

In Christ,

farley

Farley, the Bible is a huge Divine book. Man adds the ism to deal with the complexity of it. I believe the folds into flock is what Jesus was saying about the Church. In the Church we have neither Jew/Israel or Gentile/Pagan...we have one new man with Christ as the Head. If there's one thing we can count on...it's God.

A few things to consider from a rightly divided view:
Comparing, then, what is said in Scripture concerning Israel and the Church, he finds that in origin, calling, promise, worship, principles of conduct, and future destiny that all is contrast. Compare first the calling of Israel with that of the church.

ISRAEL
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house unto a land that I will show thee (Gen. 12: 1).

For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness (Deut. 8:7-9).

And he said, I am Abraham's servant. And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly, and he is become great; and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and men-servants, and maid- servants, and camels, and asses (Gen. 24:34-35).

The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways (Deut. 28:7). And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath (Deut. 28:13).

CHURCH
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling (Heb. 3: 1).

For our conversation is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (Matt. 8:20).

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you (I Pet. 1:4).

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place (I Cor. 4: 11).

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:23).

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5).

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service (John 16:2).

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:4).

Of course it is not meant that a godly Jew did not, at death, go to heaven. The distinction is that the incentive to godliness in his case was earthly blessings, not heavenly. It should be needless to say that, in this dispensation, neither Jew nor Gentile can be saved otherwise than by the exercise of that faith on the Lord Jesus Christ whereby both are born again (John 3:3, 16) and are baptized into that "one body" (I Con 12:13) which is "the church" (Eph. 1:22-23). In the church the distinction of Jew and Gentile disappears. (I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Eph. 2:14. So in writing to the Ephesians the apostle speaks of them as "in time past Gentiles," Eph. 2:11; 1 Cor. 12:2, also says, "ye were Gentiles.")

The contrast between Israel and the church further appears in the rules given for the conduct of each.

ISRAEL
When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee . . . thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them: thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them (Deut. 7:1-2).

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe (Exod. 21:24-25).

CHURCH
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:44).

Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we entreat (I Cor. 4:12-13).

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matt. 5:39).

See also: Deuteronomy 21:18-21 and Luke 15:20-23.

In the appointments for worship we still find contrast. Israel could worship in but one place and at a distance from God-only approaching Him through a priest. The church worships wherever two or three are gathered, has boldness to enter into the holiest, and is composed of priests. Compare Leviticus 17:8- 9 with Matthew 18:20, Luke 1:10 with Hebrews 10:19-20, Numbers 3:10 with I Peter 2:5.

In the predictions concerning the future of Israel and the church, the distinction is still more startling. The church will be taken away from the earth entirely, but restored Israel is yet to have her greatest earthly splendor and power. See what Scripture says as to

ISRAEL
"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke 1:31-33). (Of these seven promises to Maryfive have already been literally fulfilled. By what rule of interpretation are we authorized to say the remaining two will not be also fulfilled?)

"Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written: After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up" (Acts 15; 14-16).

"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Rom. 11:1,11, 24-26).

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people.... And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" (Isa. It: It - 12).

"For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob" (Isa. 14:1).

"Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into the land that Igave unto their fathers" (Jer. 16:14-15). "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jer. 23:5-6).

"Behold, I will gather them out of all countries whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God" (Jer. 32:37,38).

"Sing, 0 daughter of Zion; shout, 0 Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, 0 daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more" (Zeph. 3:14-15).

THE CHURCH
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2, 3).

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (I Thess. 4:15-17).

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Phil. 3:20, 21).

"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" (I John 3:2).

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Rev. 19:7-9).

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:6).

It may safely be said that the Judaizing of the church has done more to hinder her progress, pervert her mission, and destroy her spiritually than all other causes combined. Instead of pursuing her appointed path of separation from the world and following the Lord in her heavenly calling, she has used Jewish Scriptures to justify herself in lowering her purpose to the civilization of the world, the acquisition of wealth, the use of an imposing ritual, the erection of magnificent churches, the invocation of God's blessing upon the conflicts of armies, and the division of an equal brotherhood into "clergy" and "laity."

 

[farley]

JM,

The predestinated, elected, chosen, appointed, etc., however, it can be expressed, has to exist, because the Bible provides for it.

But, it seems that rational discussion will be almost non-existant, unless one limits their disscussions to very narrow, sub-categories within an "ism".

As 'wavy' clarified for me, 'the elect are Israel'...

Isaiah 45 KJV
(4) For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

This understanding is miles away from basic Calvinism, in my view.

By simply adding the Gentiles into the picture, the following passage now adds some clarity...

John 10 KJV
(16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

But, we are still miles away from drawing all of the conclusions which you endorse above!

In Christ,

farley