An excellent book that gives history/background to the making of the Scofield Reference Bible. You can oorder it at:
https://www.amazon.com/History-Scofield-Reference-Bible/dp/1973172674
The Decrees Paul Kept or Paul's Acts Ministry vs Post Acts Ministry
Acts 16:1-4 states:
[1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain
disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which
was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
[2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3]
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him
because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that
his father was a Greek.
[4] And as they went through the
cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained
of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
An honest Bible student can't help but notice a difference in Paul's Acts ministry and post Acts ministry. Until Israel's hope was temporarily set aside in Acts 28, Paul was careful not to offend the Jews. In fact he submitted to ceremonial decrees of the 12 Apostles in Acts 15 which consisted of abstaining from pollutions of idols, from things strangled, and blood (Acts 15:20). After Acts 28, the Kingdom Offer is withdrawn from Israel until a later time. With this Kingdom offer no longer on the table, Paul's attitude about the ceremonial decrees changes. After Acts 28 Paul writes in Col 2:14-16
[14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against
us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to
his cross;
[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
[16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Obviously there is a difference in Paul's Acts ministry and post Acts ministry. With the offer of the Kingdom still on the table Paul would command Gentile believers not to offend the Jews in regard to ceremonial issues during the book of Acts. After Acts 28 the only "hope" on the table for any believing Jew is becoming a member of the Church, which is his body. With this change the believing Gentile is no longer required to worry about offending the Jews in ceremonial issues of "meat, drink, etc."
After the rapture it appears everything reverts back to the decrees of Acts 15. Note that the believers during the tribulation will be back under ceremonial decrees. Rev 2:14 states:
[14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
It is obvious that there is a change from the teaching of Colossians 2 and Revelation 2. In Revelation 2 one must be careful to not cast a stumbling block before Israel in one's diet. This is another example of the importance of Rightly Dividing the Bible!
Rightly Dividing Paul
Many that believe and practice right division have a hard time with the idea of rightly dividing Paul's writings. Some will even call you a "hyper dispensationalist" for saying Paul must be rightly divided. 2 Timothy 2:15 states,
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
If Paul's writings are the "word of truth," then in order to obey the verse the Pauline Epistles must also be rightly divided. The common motto for many right dividers is Romans through Philemon is all doctrine for the Body of Christ. I know many after reading this next statement will blow their fuses and trip their circuit breakers. Not everything in Romans through Philemon is doctrine for the Body of Christ. This is true no matter what your favorite "Grace Teacher or Preacher" says. Take the book of Romans for example.
Romans 2:17 states, "Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God," If I were to apply this verse doctrinally to the Body of Christ, then I would have to conclude that the Body of Christ replaces Israel and is now called Jews.
Romans 11:13-22 must be rightly divided or else you will have to make the Gentiles in Romans 11 the Body of Christ. If one makes these Gentiles the Body of Christ, then the Body of Christ is in danger of being cut off and losing salvation if it fails to continue in God's goodness (note especially vs 22). This is not grace doctrine for the Body of Christ. No Way!
[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
[16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
[17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
[18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
[19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
[20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
[21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
[22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
In summary some of the book of Romans is for the Jews, some is for the Gentiles, and some is for the Body of Christ. Romans, along with the other writings of Paul must be rightly divided!
Calvinism's 5 Points vs Dispensational Right Division of Scriptures
Chart by Brother Roger Feenstra (www.rogerfeenstra.com)
Comparing the 5 Points of Calvinism to Right Division:
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