The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: Gal.4:10 — Paul telling the Galatians not to observe days and events etc. There are some in the Mid-Acts Grace circles that intimate that we should not celebrate our birthdays, as neither Jesus nor Paul did. What is your take on this? MY REPLY: Paul writes to the Galatians: “Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain” (Gal.4:10–11). The context of this passage is critical. Paul is not addressing personal celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries. His concern is that the Galatians were returning to religious observances tied to the Mosaic law and pagan calendars — feast days, sabbaths, ritual cycles, and annual observances that were being treated as necessary for righteousness . In doing so, they were undermining the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work . The issue here is legalism , not personal joy or cultural custom. Some within Mid-Acts circles argue that because Jesus and Paul did not cele...

An answer for Leviticus 21:18–20 18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, 19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, 20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; This passage is often misunderstood and misapplied by those who do not rightly divide the word of truth. Some have used it to suggest that people with physical disabilities are disqualified from serving God today, or that such individuals are somehow less acceptable in ministry. This interpretation is not only doctrinally incorrect—it is spiritually harmful. To understand this passage properly, we must begin by recognizing its dispensational context. Leviticus was written to the nation of Israel under the Mosaic Law. It outlines ceremonial, civil, and religious instructions for Israel’s priesthood, particularly the sons of Aaron who served...

Online Question: I want to know the difference between living by law and living by grace. What are the works that come under law? How does the grace of God through His Son Jesus supersede law? Jesus came to fulfill the law. Can you explain this? My Reply: Living by law (or by the letter of the law) is an act that you do by your strength and ability. It does not take faith to obey the law. You know what the law is, since it is defined, and you labour to obey the law by strict adherence and discipline. The law can be the moral law, the Mosaic law, or your own made-up laws to appease your conscience. Though following the law can have an outward appearance of righteousness, there is no change in the inner man. The law cannot make you righteous and it cannot save you. In addition, the law condemns one because it gives power to sin that resides in the nature of man. Rom 7:21-24 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after ...

Even after justification, the soul of the believer continues to indwell a body of sin and death. Sin and death continue to be a functional law within our mortal body. The issue moving forward now is not your justification; that is a done deal. Nothing can change our justification and peace with God through Jesus Christ. The issue moving forward is whether you're going to live under God or under sin. Paul draws attention to this choice by saying, Rom 6:11-13  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  (12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  (13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Notice that Paul is not yet even talking about law. At this point in Rom.6, it's not ...

Social Media Statement: Paul told us there is no division in 1 Corinthians 3. We are to submit to Christ above all teachers, including Paul himself. I have an issue with the claim that we are not expected to follow the commands Jesus himself spoke in Matthew. Are you saying we can ignore the law because Paul said we are free from the law. If I am not accurately reflecting your post, please elaborate. My Reply: The Bible clearly tells us that the earthly ministry of Jesus was to Israel only, as mentioned in Matt.15:24 and Rom.15:8. Jesus, a minister of the circumcision (Jews), promoted and taught according to the Mosaic law, which is a doctrine and dispensation we are not under today. Consider that we do not sacrifice animals. We do not have to do ritual washings. We are not under the Sabbath law/covenant. We do not have Kosher dietary limitations. All these and more are what Jesus taught during His earthly ministry. On the other hand, Paul was called and separated by God to be the apos...

QUESTION: “Christ was the end of the first program and has become the only way to the Father. But I'm not sure about your telling about the going back to prophecy/law. Please can you explain and provide some scriptures.” MY REPLY: The Seventy Weeks (of Years) Prophecy The most thorough way to prove that the prophecy/law program reactivates is to look at prophecy itself, using one of the most powerful prophecies in the Bible: Daniel’s 70-weeks prophecy, found in Daniel 9:24-27. This prophecy outlines a timeline of God’s plan for Israel. The prophecy is divided into three parts: 7 weeks, 62 weeks, and 1 week, totaling 70 weeks of years (490 years). Interruption by Paul’s Mystery and Grace Dispensation The prophetic program for Israel was interrupted after the 69th week (7+62 sevens = 483 years) with the arrival of Jesus Christ, who was “cut off” (crucified) as prophesied in Dan.9:26. This interruption is often referred to as the “gap” or “parenthesis” in the prophecy. During this gap...

Prophecy foretells that Jews are a distinct nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (ex.19:5–6) called of God for the purpose of showing forth His glory and being the light and salvation of the Gentiles (Isa.60:1–3). With this in mind, the earthly ministry of Jesus was directed to Jews ONLY (Matt.10:5–6; Matt.15:24) to save them and bring them lift them up to that place of preeminence, that they might fulfil prophecy and be that light and salvation to the Gentiles. Jesus was a minister of the circumcision (Jews) (Rom.15:8) and preached according to the law and according to prophecy (Gal.4:4–5). The gospel Jesus taught was concerning the prophesied earthly Millennial Kingdom, which was a hand, and thus He called for Jews to repent and prepare for the inheritance of this Kingdom in which He would be King. This ministry of Jesus is in stark contrast to the ministry of Paul who was called by the glorified Christ for a very different purpose. Paul was to go to a different audience (the Ge...

QUESTION: Did Paul teach fasting? We see it in the 4-Gospels and the book of Acts but not in Paul's writing. Can you show me what I don't see or explain somehow? Is the fast also part of the Church actions or just for Jews? REPLY: What I am about to write is my view and standing in regard to fasting. Judge it according to your faith and conviction. Paul’s ministry focus is primarily on faith in Christ, the gospel, and living by the Spirit. Fasting is not a central theme in his teachings; thus, I believe the specifics of fasting are left to an individual's conviction and context. If you look at Paul's writings, the only time he mentions fasting is in these 3-verses, 1Cor 7:5   Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 2Cor 6:5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 2C...

QUESTION: What do you make about tattoos? Should a Christian have it since it was condemned in the Old Testament but not in the New Testament? ANSWER: Entertaining thoughts like this is a consequence of not rightly dividing the Word of truth. These confusions come into the mind when people are taught that they are spiritual Israel, or when people are ignorant of the two separate and distinct programs that occupy the written Word. Let me briefly clarify what I mean. We have TWO programs in the Bible. The prophetic program and the mystery program. The prophetic program concerns Israel who were the people of God, a special nation, set apart by God, via the law, in order to be a light to the world, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. On the other hand, there is the mystery program, that concerns the Body of Christ, who are under grace. Where Israel is a physical people who would inherit the physical earth, the Body of Christ is a spiritual creature [body] which will inherit the heaven...

QUESTION: Several passages of the New Testament identify the importance of following the commandments but don't say what they are (other than loving God and neighbor)? Is any other commandment essential to the Christian way? ANSWER: This is an excellent question and one that many people might ask. The key to answering this question is knowing what the law is and what is commanded of us to obey. So, let me start with the following. Paul clearly tells us that we (as grace believers) are not under the law, Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What does Paul mean by this? What law is he referring to? Paul is not referring to the 10 commandments. These are the basic moral laws that apply to all humanity. These are the values written in our conscience. It does not matter what nation or language you are from; your conscience will testify to these actions. You will know it is wrong to kill, steal, lie, etc. Thus, Paul is not referrin...

The moment one quotes scripture, like, “we are not under law but under grace”, Rom.6:14 , you get people defending the law with all their might, rejecting the post, and calling one a heretic. The typical defense will come in arguments like, the law is our tutor, or the law upholds morality, or they claim you're saying the law is sinful. The most common argument is when they say, even though the law cannot save one, it does not mean we do not have to practice it. Arguments like these are typically raised by believers, — yes, you read that correctly, believers . Either believers who lean too much upon a legalistic faith, or uninformed believers who have a carnal opinion of spiritual things without having studied the Word to discover the truth that is presented clearly and concisely in its pages. So, how does one correct such carnal thinking? Tutorship of the law:  The tutorship of the law aims to justify us, and it accomplishes this with little empathy. It brings us to ...

The following is an informal writing, or a heart cry. It is not intended to be a lesson or Biblical discourse. Denominations teach their members that they are spiritual Israel. Christians want to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. Non-Jewish believers start to speak and write using the Hebrew terminology and the names of God, believing that it makes their speech and writing more holy. Certain churches practice Jewish ordinances and adopt Jewish customs, and many denominational churches believe in baptisms and communion, and place themselves under various laws and gospel orientated traditions. It is sad to see how many Christians try to make themselves more Jewish, for the sake of the Jewish scriptures and for religious appearance? Why do I say this? Well, when one weighs up the doctrine of Israel, who are under law and works, with the doctrine of the Body of Christ, who are free from both law and works, who are under the absolute and wonderous grace of God because of the cross of Ch...

Lesson #1 The absolute MOST valued lesson I have learned is to rightly divide the truth, 2Tim.2:15. After 40 years of reading the Bible as if it was ALL written to me and for my instruction, when I learned about rightly dividing the truth, and recognizing that Paul’s letters are instructions addressed to me, and the rest of the Bible is instructions for Israel, this brought clarity and dismissed all that confusion and contradiction. The Bible became an open book from that point. Things fell into place and my faith became settled and strong. Dividing the Word showed me a clear picture of the whole plan of God to redeem us. It showed me where I fit into God’s plan, and it gave me purpose and insights into what God’s will was for me. I cannot overemphasize the value and importance of applying this command to rightly divide the truth to your bible studies. It has completely changed my understanding of God’s Word for the better. I will never look back again at blending everything into on...

QUESTION: Christians who say they are in the new covenant teaching dispensationalism, can you explain and provide Scriptures with examples to support: No grace under the law, but now under grace there is no law? Are the teachings of Christ for all (Matt 28:20)? ANSWER: I can provide scriptures in Paul’s epistles that will verify that as believers in this dispensation of grace, we are not under the law. Furthermore, I can provide scriptures to confirm that only Israel was, and will again be, under the law. However, these scripture references will not satisfy your underlying need to have a better grounding in the administration of God’s redemption plan, divided into time past, but now, and ages to come. Until you have a clear view of God’s purpose for Israel, and that it is different to God’s purpose for the Body of Christ (grace believers), there will always be confusion and contradiction. I am happy to journey with you in discovering God’s administrations. Scriptures like that which yo...