The Bible says we must apply right division when studying it.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
What is rightly dividing?
To "rightly divide" is to recognize that the bible contains information that is dependent on factors like systems (attributes), or people groups, or time periods (eg: 7-year Tribulation; 1000-year Millennium). This information is what is known as a dispensation (or that which is dispensed). It can also be known as an economy, a stewardship, a program, or an administration.
So, to exercise right division is to separate that which belongs in one system, or people group, or time period from another system, or people group, or time period. Information from one dispensation cannot be used or added to another dispensation. In other words, the information context cannot be mixed, and if it is, it creates a warped understanding of scripture, or even worse, a false doctrine.
Why must we rightly divide?
To answer this, let's make sure you understand what the word "dispensation" is. Most people think a dispensation has to do with a period of time. As a matter of fact, it is not about time at all! A "dispensation" is not the actual 'period of time', but an administration, or stewardship of events within that time period. It is a change in, ¹ the order of management, ² a system, or ³ a way of doing things.
The information that God gave at that time, or in that system, or to that group of people does not typically apply to another dispensation. Why? Because dispensations have unique 'sets of rules' or 'ways of doing things'. For example, —God dealt with Moses very differently to how He deals with us today. As another example, consider how a dispensation, ie: the administering or managing of things, can change matters like: The gospel message, forgiveness, diet, baptism, observances (circumcision, holy days, festivals), signs, our commission, etc. All these matters can change depending on what system is used to manage it, or what people group it belongs to, or what time period it is practiced in.
Today we are in a God ordained dispensation called the Grace Dispensation,
Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; ...
Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
In this dispensation, matters, like in the list above, are dealt with differently than in previous biblical dispensations. Let's take a simple example to prove the point. We'll deal with 'forgiveness'.
To gain forgiveness, some argue that we should confess our sins to God daily, quoting Matthew 6:12-15 and 1 John 1:9. Other groups believe that we should confess our sins to priests, using John 20:23 and James 5:16. Still, others believe that confession of sins is unnecessary because Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and we are already forgiven of all of our sins, citing Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 2:13.
These contradictions, or differences in opinion create confusions in the church and in the doctrines they teach. All this is because they do NOT rightly divide the scriptures, recognizing that the administering, or managing, of this matter of forgiveness has changed between systems, people groups or time. If one recognized this fact, one can know how forgiveness is managed based on determining the relevant dispensation you are studying. This will immediately clear up all confusion or contradiction in the scripture.
Let's build further on this example of forgiveness.
For the Jews, under the dispensation of Law in the bible, forgiveness was conditional. One had to forgive others BEFORE one could receive forgiveness from God.
Matt.6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matt.6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
For Gentiles (you and I today), under the dispensation of Grace, forgiveness is unconditional. This means that a person saved by the grace gospel today is explicitly forgiven and cleared of ALL guilt because of the cross work of Jesus Christ. Because they are utterly forgiven, they are encouraged to go and do the same, to go and forgive as they already have been forgiven.
Eph.4:32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Eph.1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Col.2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
The change of dispensation has completely changed the matter of forgiveness. This same concept is applicable to all the other matters listed above and many other concepts and attributes in the bible. Can you see why it is so important to rightly divide? Without it you will always be under a cloud of confusion, because one day you read in the bible that we are freely and eternally forgiven, and another day your bible tells you that before you can be forgiven, you must go and forgive first. So, now what do you do? How do you consolidate this? How can you trust the bible if it says two different things?
We need to rightly divide in accordance with the dispensations of the Bible.
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