Israel Falls in Acts but is not Counted "Out" until Acts 28

      In boxing after a fighter falls down, the referee begins a ten-second count, giving the boxer a chance to recover and get back on his feet.  Boxers get knocked down fairly often but are able to get back up before being counted out and continue the fight.  Sometimes the boxer that gets knocked down ends up getting back up (before the 10 count) and goes on to win the fight.  Many Acts 2 and Mid Acts dispensationalists argue that since Israel has fallen by the time of Paul writing Romans 11 that God did not allow Israel another opportunity to repent and receive another offer of the kingdom. 

Romans 11:11-12 states:

 [11] 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.
[12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

I agree that Israel has fallen by the time Romans 11 is written; however, I would argue that they have not been counted out of the fight to use boxing terminology.   In boxing terminology God has not counted to 10 in Romans 11.  It appears God does not say "ten" until after Paul preaches one final time to Israel's leaders in Acts 28.  If Paul thought Israel had been counted out, then why does he pray for their National Salvation in Romans 10:1.  In my opinion Romans 11:23 should make it clear that Israel has not been counted out of the fight at the time of Paul writing Romans.  Romans 11:23 states:

[23] And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

The very people that had fallen can get back up by not abiding in unbelief according to Romans 11:23.  The unpardonable sin is not charged to Israel until after they reject the kingdom for the final time at Acts 28.  Once Bible believers understand this, then they can quit making excuses as to why Paul acted the way he did during the book of Acts.  In Acts Paul preached a pure grace message to the Gentiles called the gospel of the uncircumcision.  However Paul recognized for Israel that their kingdom offer was still on the table, so he never once called out believing Jews for observing ceremonial ordinances of the Law because those things would continue as memorials when the Kingdom is setup.  For example, study Ezekiel 40 through 48.  Remember, if Israel had repented in Acts, then those same people would see the return of Christ and the setting up of the Kingdom (Acts 3:19-21).

My Position on the King James Bible

      My position on the King James Bible is very simple.  Although the King James Bible is not the original manuscripts, I believe it is the preserved, inspired, and infallible words of God.  I agree with what Dr. Peter Ruckman said many years ago in a study on Greek Manuscript Evidence concerning the King James Bible and the preservation of the Scriptures.  Dr. Ruckman says in regards to the preservation of Scripture, "A verbatim reproduction of the originals, wherever they are, is not necessary to prove that what God said has been preserved intact the way he wants it said."  He goes on to state,"...I mean the King James Bible is the exact form and shape and size and content of the Bible that God wants the world to have from 1611 to the second coming of Jesus Christ..."

     In conclusion, what is one to do that has trouble understanding the King James Bible?  I will offer the same advice that I have heard Dr. Ruckman give, "Get yourself a good English Dictionary and concordance."  Since the passing of Dr. Ruckman, I would say most people now have a dictionary and concordance available on their cell phone, which makes the task of reading and understanding the King James Bible easier than ever before.

Why Christmas is on December 25th?

 Here is an interesting video by Erick Erickson on why Christmas is on December 25th.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu0pqzrRz9c

 

Are Christmas Trees Satanic

      As we approach the Christmas Holiday season it is time once again for all those that don't understand our liberty in Christ to start preaching on how bad Christmas Trees are along with other decorations etc.  Unfortunately many in the right division camp also do not understand our liberty in Christ when it comes to such matters.  I recently watched a video by a Mid Acts Dispensational preacher on the subject of Christmas Trees.  This preacher has some good material on other subjects, but on this subject he really drops the theological "ball" along with many denominational preachers that I am familiar with.  

     This particular Mid Acts Dispensationalist uses Jeremiah 10:2, along with many denominational preachers that I know, to argue that since the "heathen" cut down and decorated trees, then believers have no business decorating Christmas trees etc under Grace.

     I actually replied to his video a while back with the following, "Our apostle says we can eat meat offered in sacrifice to idols just like the heathen as long as we understand the idol is nothing (1 Cor 8:4-8). As long as the tree does not become an idol, then it is like any other decoration in the house."  

     Most Mid Acts Dispensationalists state that Romans through Philemon is theological "mail" for the Body of Christ.  However, when faced with the subject of Christmas trees rather than going to our spokesman under Grace, Paul, many go to the book of Jeremiah (not our mail) for an answer.  What if a Baptist went to Matthew to defend the practice of water baptism?  The Mid Acts Dispensationalists would lambast him for going to the wrong spokesman in regard to the subject of water baptism.  They would shout to the Baptist "you are not rightly dividing."  However, when a Mid Acts Dispensationalists wants to reject a particular thing (like decorating Christmas trees) his fellow Mid Acts friends often times will give him a pass when he fails to rightly divide and go to the correct spokesman for the age of grace.  I have found many right dividers, no matter the camp (Acts 2, Mid Acts or Acts 28ers), will drop Paul and consistent right division in a heart beat if Paul's teaching/right division crosses their traditions or the traditions of their favorite "right division preacher/teacher"!  

     For right dividers to be taken seriously they must start being more consistent in their Bible study, teaching and preaching.  I would even suggest dropping any discussion of frivolous topics and just stick with solid Bible subjects that people need to understand in our to be a faithful ambassador of Christ.

     I hope all of my readers have fun decorating the tree and also have a Merry Christmas!

Is Halloween Satanic (From a Right Division Standpoint)

Most of the right dividers I know take the position that Satan is no longer working in the Dispensation of Grace as he did in time past.  Most right dividers do not believe Satan is possessing people and causing them to do evil things now as is described in the Gospel records.  Most right dividers say things like cursing, drunkenness, fornication, etc is just the flesh operating according to its own desires, and that Satan has nothing to do with those things.  Most right dividers do not believe Satan gives power to people today to cast spells, tell the future, perform miracles, etc.  

Most right dividers say Satan's mode of attack is now one of spiritual deception.  Most right dividers will say today that "Satan's primary work today is to oppose God's grace message by blinding people to it and promoting false doctrines."  Satan's work today is to promote doctrines of devils (1 Tim 4:1).  These doctrines include adding works to salvation such as making church membership, water baptism, communion, etc requirements for salvation.  Most right dividers say that Satan is primarily working in religion promoting these false doctrines.  Many in the right division camp will even make fun of conservative Christians who still believe Satan is possessing people and causing people to "live bad."  They say Satan has all of these non rightly dividing Christians fooled in believing Satan still operates today as he did under the "Kingdom Program." 

After taking all of the above positions the funniest thing happens to many in the "right division camp" when it comes to the subject of Halloween.  All of a sudden dressing up in a costume becomes Satanic!  Putting on a mask becomes Satanic!  All of a sudden a person in a "witch costume" can really cast spells!  Decorating pumpkins and giving out candy becomes an act of worshiping the Devil!

What is going on in the minds of many right dividers when it comes to Halloween?  Although I can not answer for any of them, it appears from my observation they fail to be consistent in applying sound doctrine rightly divided when the subject of Halloween comes up.  All the knowledge they have of how Satan is operating under Grace gets thrown out the window.  To settle this issue I think the best place to go would be our Apostle to the Gentiles.  1 Corinthians 8 speaks of the question of eating things offered to idols.  Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit says it is fine to eat meat sacrificed to idols if done with a conscience that understands that an idol is nothing (1 Cor 8:4 & 7).  Whether to participate or not participate in Halloween is a matter of Christian liberty.  Romans 14:3 states, "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him."

For all my fellow Right Dividers that participate, "Happy Halloween!"