READING THE BIBLE IN THESE TIMES

Introduction.

The Pauline epistles are for the present. All the rest of Scripture finds its INTERPRETATION and APPLICATION either before or after the present secret administration of grace. Paul alone gives the truth for the church, which is the body of Christ. This is found nowhere outside of his writings.

Israel and the 'nations' occupy all other parts of divine revelation. What is true of them in other eras (seasons) and eons (ages) must not be mixed with the present truth, as it will lead to confusion and error.

All scripture is profitable, as a revelation of God's ways, but it MUST NOT be applied outside its proper place.

ROMANS. It is THEE portion of God's Word, which is adapted to show all mankind God's present grace, in preparation to the unfolding of Ephesians. It is dominated by three doctrines:- Justification, Conciliation and Sovereignty.

CORINTHIANS. This is a divine commentary on the conduct frequently taught in the epistle of Romans. The secret of a life well pleasing to God lies in the crucifixion and resurrection of the flesh. (Romans 6. 6-11) Deportment and Conciliation.

GALATIANS. The divine commentary on the doctrine of justification as set forth in the first four chapters of Romans. In practice the law is powerless through the flesh, but grace, working through faith overfills the laws demand.

THESSALONIANS. The blessed EXPECTATION of our Lord's return for His body (church) before the day of His indignation is the subject of these, Paul's earliest writings. The doctrinal burden is based on this truth. The Rapture.

EPHESIANS. Begins by presenting a careful and comprehensive statement of the truth for the present secret economy, laying stress on these aspects, which concern the MEMBERS of Christ's body.

COLOSSIANS, is the counter part of this, dealing with the same doctrine but presenting them in their relation to the HEAD of the body. The secret, present administration of grace, hid in God, is the function of the first three chapters of Ephesians to explain it's three aspects for the believers and of Colossians to reveal the position, which it accords in Christ.

PHILIPPIANS. A divine commentary on the latter half of Ephesians, and, like it, is especially concerned with the deportment demanded by the transcendent doctrines developed in the first half of Ephesians.

TIMOTHY AND TITUS. Are concerned with conduct in service. Rules are laid down for the selection and service of supervisors and servants. Also for the various classes in the church. ie; The Constitution of the church.

PHILEMON. This, the only private personal letter from Paul, is a perfect specimen of its kind. GRACE. Not only a slave, but subject to torture and death through stealing from his master, Onesimus is first reconciled to God through Paul's PREACHING, then reconciled to his master by Paul's PLEADING. These epistles are to be read repeatedly, prayerfully and accepted as those of the Berean church, "…who received the Word with all eagerness, examining the scripture daily, if these things be so…" Acts 17:10-12.

These nine epistles of Paul seem to be the final teachings of God to mankind in this dispensation of grace.

Note:- Number nine is the last of the digits, this marks the END; and is significant of the CONCLUSION of the matter.

It is akin to the number 6, this being the sum of it's factors. 3+3=6, and 3x3=9, and is thus significant of the END of MAN, and the summation of all of man's WORKS. The number of finality or judgement.

GLOSSARY

GRACE (literally in Greek JOY) an act of producing happiness, a benefit bestowed on one who deserves the opposite - unmerited favour.

JUSTIFICATION, an act of justifying, Justify, constitute just, not forgive or pardon as if unjust, but pronounce not guilty, acquit, vindicate.

CONCILIATION. (Lit. Gk DOWN-CHANGE) an act of conciliating. CONCILIATE, to win over, make friends, to reconcile, not the sinner conciliating God by penance and prayers, but GOD conciliating (pleading with) the sinner.

SOVEREIGNTY . pre-eminence, supreme and independent power - of God.

DOCTRINE -teaching, a thing taught, a principle of thought.

DEPORTMENT - behaviour, bearing, manners.