It is in Paul’s God-inspired writings that we find the doctrine to the church today. Yet, it would be foolish to say that we should eliminate the other parts of scripture.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” – 2 Tim 3:16
Right division does not eliminate other books of the Bible. Instead, it rightly defines their context so that we can have a fuller doctrinal understanding. It is all for our learning.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning,…” – Romans 15:4
What We Learn
With the scriptures written to God’s prophetic people, Israel, we learn about God’s promised purpose for the earth. He promised to have dominion over the planet from the throne of David. Paul’s gospel explains further the mystery behind the resurrection of David’s seed (2 Tim2:8).
We need every page of the Bible to learn about God’s character. God is great! He is gracious, just, and true. Learning about his faithfulness encourages us to have hope in what Paul says also (Romans 4:21-23).
“…were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4
Paul says about the law:
“I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” – Romans 7:7
Our History
Most importantly, God’s hidden purpose could not have been accomplished without the necessary preparation by the law and the prophets (Gal 3:24).
“ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” – Gal 3:24
“ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” – Romans 3:22
Jesus’ mystery message could not have been revealed at any other time in history. God’s grace was revealed exactly when it was needed.
False Accusers
It seems to be common for mid-Acts dispensationalists to be falsely accused of eliminating portions of the Bible because we understand the necessity to study Jesus’ message to Paul is preeminent over his message to Moses. Yet mid-Acts right division does not teach the elimination of any book of scripture, but merely their fuller understanding through Christ’s further revelation to Paul.
Paul uses the other scriptures repeatedly to teach eternal truths about God, reference Israel’s program, and use the law as a schoolmaster. Paul compares and contrasts his revelation from the Lord to the revelation in the law repeatedly. Without the other scriptures Paul’s books would lose their meaning!
Right division requires that we follow Paul if we are to follow Christ, and Paul tells us that we need God’s complete revelation for our learning.
Article Index Published: November 14, 2009
Last Modified: December 21, 2021