It is Time to Drop the Slogan "Romans through Philemon"

      Many "Grace Believers" claim their mail and doctrine is only found in the books of Romans through Philemon.  I have in the past shared this sentiment, but I no longer agree with using this slogan.  Why?  I am going to answer the question with a question.  Did the Apostle Paul say that the Grace Believers' mail and doctrine was only in Romans through Philemon?

Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:

[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Note that Paul does not chant off the slogan "Romans through Philemon."  Paul says all scripture is profitable for doctrine, etc.  All scripture is Genesis through Revelation!  As Grace Believers all the Bible is our mail, and we have to study and rightly divide all of it to determine what applies doctrinally to us under the mystery program.  

     In considering this matter, take the Gospel of John for an example.  Many Grace Believers say John is not my mail, because it is not in "Romans through Philemon."  I understand that John contains much "kingdom doctrine" that does not line up with the dispensation of grace; however, there are some truths in John that match the preaching of Paul.  John 20:31 states, " But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."  Many Grace Believers will read this verse and say John is "Jewish," since it is talking about believing Jesus is Christ.  This argument is their proof that John is not for them.  The strangest thing happens when these same people read Acts 18:5.  It states, "And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ."  At this point these same people, who claim the "mystery" started in Acts 9 or at the latest Acts 13, make excuses for Paul preaching the same thing John preached!  If John 20 is not for Grace Believers because it is speaking about believing that Jesus is the Christ, then Acts 18 can not be for Grace Believers either because it is the same message!  Keep in mind Paul not only used the title, "Christ" in Acts but he used the title numerous times in Romans through Philemon!  John 20:31 not only states to believe Jesus is the "Christ," but it also states to believe Jesus is "the Son of God."  As a Grace Believer I can take this part of John and doctrinally apply it to me!  The title, "Son of God" definitely matches the revelation of the mystery doctrine.  Ephesians 4:13 states, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"  John 20:31 also makes it clear that believing results in spiritual life.  This doctrinal truth also matches mystery doctrine, for 2 Timothy 1:1 states, "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus."

     For those Grace Believers who still hold to the slogan, "Romans through Philemon," I would encourage you to start following Paul (rather than your favorite Grace Teacher/Preacher) in that All Scripture is Profitable for doctrine, etc.  Once you start studying and rightly dividing all Scripture, you will find there is much doctrine for the Grace Believer outside of Romans through Philemon.  Yes, doing this will require much more time studying and less time in worldly entertainment, but it is what God requires under Grace!