The BIG Picture (Q&A)

How do you change when you became a Christian? You become a Christian when you hear the grace gospel and then respond to it in faith. Responding to the grace gospel changes your spiritual standing with God*. The grace gospel justifies you and saves you from God's wrath and hell, and you will go to heaven when you die, but the grace gospel does not change your physical life. You still continue to sin, your mind remains carnal and at enmity with God (1Cor.3:1; Rom.8:7), you continue to be unprofitable for God in your current condition (Rom.3:12). Unfortunately, many Christians remain in this condition because of ignorance. They believe that they are saved, and rightfully so, but they fail to 'continue' in salvation, because the church teaches them that they've made it, so they don't seek to continue in 'the faith' (Rom.1:5;2Cor.13:5); the doctrine in Paul's epistles that informs them how to die to self, how to grow up in Christ, how to walk in the Spirit,...

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130). All the complicated theological systems and arguments and denominations aside, the Holy Bible can be summarized with three simple verses! Our King James Bible contains 66 books; 1,189 chapters; 31,101 verses; and 791,328 words. God has much to say, and “every word” is important (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4). However, the entire Bible can be summarized with three verses: “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:10).  God the Father’s purpose in creation is to make everything subject unto His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The governments of heaven and earth are to glorify and bring honor to Jesus Christ’s name by valuing, believing, and carrying out His doctrine. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, agai...

When it comes to advice on choices or decisions in life, Paul provides some incredible information in Romans 14. Rom 14:5 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Also, Rom 14:22-23  Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.  (23)  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat [do], because he eateth [does] not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. The above verses have nothing to do with feelings. They have to do with conviction. Feelings are fickle and can change depending on your mood. Conviction is stable, as it has to do with your faith, or an inner truth (conscience) of right or wrong. In addition, the above verses have nothing to do with laws or rules which is the very thing that brings condemnation. In your question, you mention condemnation, which tells me that you made some human rule in your mind about reading the Word and now because you failed to live up to the r...

READERS COMMENT: You read scripture as if it’s something magical. That we will be changed if we increase our knowledge. Scripture has no power; it points to Him who does. The people we read about in scripture “HAD NO SCRIPTURE”, just a living relationship with God. That’s the only function of scripture, to remind us of the fact that when those who went before were obedient, not to scripture but, to the rhema word of God, they grew beyond their problems. It points not to itself but to a living relationship with God as the only true source of life that can include scripture but doesn’t require it. If we believe that we are having relationship with God because we read scripture, then we are busy with idolatry. MY RESPONSE: The Bible is just a book. It is made up of paper and ink. Throw it in the fire and it burns up like any other piece of paper. To this point I agree with you. However, when it comes to the actual “words” printed on that paper, that is a WHOLE different story.  You ca...

QUESTION: I struggle with the fact that God forgives.  How can I have faith to know I’m forgiven? ANSWER: EVERYTHING ABOUT GOD IS BY FAITH . Why? Simply because we cannot see God, or touch Him, or feel Him. The only thing we have that makes God real is the Bible. If we believe that the words in the Bible are real, then God becomes real. It’s as simple as that! The key is to believe that the Bible is REALLY the words of God spoken to you. When you believe this, then God becomes real, and what He said becomes real. So then, why do I say everything about God is by faith . It is because you have to believe what He says in His Word . Faith is easy if you truly trust the words in the Bible. You will personally experience your faith grow stronger when you get deeper and deeper into the Word. This is because the Word generates faith. In Romans 10:17 it says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. Notice, faith comes (automatically), or is generated within you (au...

The Believers Curriculum for Maturing in Spirit and having Christ formed within them. Romans to Galatians is focused predominantly on believer growing up and learning of God while here on earth. Ephesians to Thessalonians is focused on sonship and sets sights on life in the heavenly position and for eternity. Romans: A general outline of the Romans foundation of salvation, justification and sanctification. Of critical note it the lessons of walking by grace and faith, avoiding the flesh and the law. Romans 5, 8 and 12 are key chapters that conclude valuable foundational leassons learned in the chapters that precede them. Rom.1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Rom.3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom.4-5 Justified by faith without works (by Gods work and grace) Rom.5 Cannot live by faith in the flesh Rom.6-7 Cannot live by f...

1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10  But when that which is perfect is come,  then that which is in part shall be done away. The identity of 'that which is perfect' can be identified from the verses themselves. The verse says, "We know in part". What then, is 'in part?' It speaks of knowledge. What causes partial knowledge to disappear? Complete knowledge! The perfecter (or completer) must therefore be of the same substance as the thing being completed, which is "that which is perfect".  So, perfect has to do with the completion of the message committed to the Apostle Paul. It is a reference to the fullness of the knowledge of the mystery revelation given through him. Ephesians 4 sheds further light on this process by telling us: Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore...

Question about Spiritual Understanding So, someone who is “saved” and accepted Jesus as his Savior can understand the lessons taught in the Bible, right? Now, if that same person snaps out of the trance of indoctrination and realizes that it is false and is now a devout atheist, does that mean that he forgets what was taught when he was a believer?  Scripture: 1 Cor.2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerne...

Studying something is a personal process. What works for one does not necessarily work for another. Beyond doing what works best for you in the process of studying the Bible, I have two important points to share regarding your study journey in the Word of God. Both these points are spoken of and confirmed within the Bible and is advice that is critical to note and adhere to. Point #1 Scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21); it is God's words and God's plan. Anyone can pick up the bible and read it and learn some facts, BUT unless you have the Spirit of God within you** you will never truly know and understand the underlying heart of the Word, and you'll never really connect with the deeper revelations within it. **How does one get the Spirit of God? This happens at the moment of salvation when one responds in faith to the gospel of the grace of God; believing that Christ's death and burial is for the forgiveness ...

Unlike some other languages, modern English employs the words "you" and "your" as both singular and plural forms of the second person pronoun. This can make the use of the pronoun "you" confusing. Is it singular, or is it plural? Modern English speakers often use clarifying phrases such as "you two," "you people," "all of you," or "you all" when they mean "you" in the plural rather than the singular. Both the Hebrew of the Old Testament and the Koine Greek of the New Testament maintain the distinction between the singular and plural forms of "you" that have been lost in modern English. This presents a problem in modern English translations, whereas in Old English, the distinctions were clear. The uses of "you", "ye", "thou", and "thee", in the King James Bible, are not arbitrary choices. They clarified meaning.  ...

The 66 books of the Bible were written by about 40 different writers, who lived in different countries, spoke different languages and came from different backgrounds. The writers included a king, a doctor, a herdsman, a tax collector, a theologian, a scribe, a fisherman, etc., and their writings spread over a period of 1500 years, so there could be no collusion or communication. Think of it, 40 different writers, spread over 55 generations, producing 66 books; and yet when these books are placed together there is a perfect unity and harmony about them, and they all fit together like a jigsaw. There is not one single proved inaccuracy in the whole Bible (KJV). The Bible is accurate historically, geographically, genealogically, scientifically, psychologically, typologically, and verbally. The revelation of truth we have in the Bible is progressively given, and by the time we get to the Book of Revelation we have a perfect and complete body of truth. In the 66 books there is everything we...

We all know in part. Being a Bible teacher myself, we do the best we can to teach the Word of God as accurately and correctly as possible, but we are human and we interpret the Word based on our own life experiences and based on how we ourselves have been taught. The bottom line is this: We can learn from those we trust, but as the student, we need to take what we have been taught and confirm it by searching the scripture for ourselves, to verify that what we have been taught is true. The Bible actually instructs us to do this, Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. One thing that you must understand is that the Bible is unique to EVERY other book and human mind out there!!! It is the infallible words of God. T...

Answer Request: The Bible seems like it is very difficult and boring to read through. How do most Christians commit to reading and analyzing the Bible? The following bulleted point below is a simple guideline to remember when reading the Bible. "The whole bible is written for us, but not all of it is written to us." Put another way, "All the bible is for our learning, but not all of it is for our application." When you understand the Bible dispensationally, and understand that the Bible is written to different people groups in different times, you will notice the need to divide the scriptures (2 Tim.2:15). Only when you divide the scriptures will the Bible really become clear and meaningful. When the opposite happens and people mix up the dispensational truths, it is then that confusion and contradictions arise and where the Bible does not make sense and become 'boring' due to all the rules and regulations, etc. Do some homework into rightly di...

Answer Request: In the Bible, what have you read that has left you in utter disbelief leaving you wondering just how, just why? It’s not so much a verse of a passage that I’ve read in the Bible that left me in utter disbelief, it’s more of a view of the Word that I discovered one day that left me wondering how I missed this for so long! The view I refer to is an instruction that Paul gives to Timothy (in 2 Tim.2:15). Paul told Timothy that he should ensure that he interprets the Word based on dividing it, (between God’s plan and program for Israel, and His plan and program for the Body of Christ) . Dividing the Word correctly will ensure that these programs are not mixed, which, if happened, will cause much confusion and contradictions when trying to make sense of the content of the Bible. Let me give you some insights here. Consider how a dispensation, ie: the administering or managing of things, can change matters like: the gospel message, forgiveness, diet, baptism, ob...

Answer Request: How can I have faith in Paul’s letters in the Bible? I have a feeling they might go against God?      It is sad to say that too many people in our churches today are not aware that the content of Paul's epistles are written directly to them today, and are crucial for their edification and encouragement. People either think that Paul is a second-rate apostle and dismiss his writings, or they set Paul's writings aside because they think it is of less importance than the red-letter teachings of Jesus Christ. Little do they know that literally ALL of Paul's writings might as well be in red letters too, since He received it all directly from the risen and glorified Christ. Rom.11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, The important thing to realize is that the 3-years of Jesus earthly ministry was specific to the Jews. Galatians 4:4-5 reads, "But when the fulness of the time was com...

I often use the phrase, "All Scripture is written FOR you, but not all Scripture is written TO you" , and this generally provokes a response of astonishment, if not a stronger aversion from the person. It does not however surprise me as there are not many who understand the Word rightly divided. So, lets delve into this phrase and explain it clearly and concisely. Think of a post office and a wall of mailboxes. If you had to pry open one of those mailboxes and read the mail from that box, you could learn something from the content of the mail, but it does not necessarily apply to you. For example, you could learn of an allergy that the mailbox owner has and even what medication to use from the doctors letter in that mailbox, but it would be incorrect (and possibly even detrimental) to dose yourself up on the medication prescribed to someone else. In the same way, the bible is a book written oven a period of 1300 years by more than 40 authors (though God is the one TRUE Author...

Barring verses that clarify the grace gospel, and which saves ones life for eternity, I want to highlight the following verse that I encountered at the beginning of my 'rightly dividing' journey. This verse made me stop and truly consider that there is more to the Bible than just what one reads on the surface. It proved to me that there was more than one gospel message and it informed me of mysteries that I had never encountered before. I was intrigued by Paul's statements and thus began my journey into right division and dispensational study. The verse below has two statements that I had NEVER been taught in all the churches I had attended. These two statements changed the course of my Christian walk and revealed deeper truths of the Word of God that I had never seen before! Today, because of deeper understanding of this verse, I am stronger in faith, grounded in truth and teaching God's Word at every opportunity I can. What are the two statements? Rom.16:25 Now to him...

The four gospels are a reflection of the life and purpose of Christ. God selected 4 Jewish apostles to document the life of Jesus Christ from 4 different views, or characteristics. Let me outline these in summary: There are 4 “BEHOLD” prophecies that represent how Israel should recognize their Messiah. Zech 9:9 Behold your King comes Zech 3:8 Behold my Servant Zech 6:12 Behold the Man Isa 40:9 Behold your God There are 4 BRANCH prophecies that define the characteristics of the Messiah. Jer 23:5 ...a righteous BRANCH and a King shall reign...in the earth. Zech 3:8 ...my Servant the BRANCH. Zech 6:12 ...man whose name is The BRANCH; Isa 4:2 ...the BRANCH of the LORD... The gospels also harmonies with the prophecies that describe the 4 faces and characteristics of God as specified in Ezek.1:10 and Rev.4:7 Matthew = Jesus as King (LION – MESSIAH/KING OF THE JEWS) – genealogy of Matthew traces back to "King" David and the promised "Kingdom" (Land) through Abraham. Mark =...

Paul declared that he fulfilled (completed) the Word, (Colossians 1:25). Does this mean that he wrote the last epistle? No. There are other New Testament books, according to chronology and general consensus, that were written after 2 Timothy. Paul's declaration is not so much to do with the numerical order of the books, but more to do with the written content that caused him to bring about the completion of the canon of scripture. So, what is in the content that makes it significant? The writings of Paul introduced a brand new gospel and body of doctrine for the Grace Dispensation. This grace doctrine that Paul wrote, is the last 'new' revelations that God provided humanity by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and pertain to how humanity is to live in the time of His grace. These epistles completed the writings that make up scripture. Even though other books, like the book of Revelation, may have been written later than Paul's epistles, the information contained in R...