The BIG Picture (Q&A)

This question reveals a common confusion between two categories of spiritual gifts: sign gifts and functional gifts . To answer it clearly, we must rightly divide what Scripture says about each—and understand their purpose within God’s unfolding plan. Sign Gifts Were Temporary and Confirmatory In the early church, God gave miraculous gifts—tongues, healings, prophecy—not as permanent features of Christian life, but as signs to confirm the gospel and authenticate the apostles. “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” — 2 Corinthians 12:12 “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not…” — 1 Corinthians 14:22 These gifts were foundational. Once the full revelation of Scripture was complete and the apostolic office fulfilled, the need for signs ceased. “Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it s...

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...

Consider the following question: Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11 that Christ "gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers," as gifts to the Body of Christ. Yet in 1 Corinthians 13:8, he says, "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." Don’t these verses contradict each other in regard to prophecy? At face value, these verses seem to conflict —how can prophets and prophecy be both a gift given to the Body and something that eventually ceases? Well, the answer is quite simple. When we rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), we see they’re speaking to different contexts and purposes within God’s unfolding plan. Ephesians 4:11 – Gifts for the Edifying of the Body “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” This verse describes g...

QUESTION on Social Media: If the just shall live by faith, and not the law, why should same just live by tithing? Can someone explain what is really going on to the faithful. My ANSWER: I can answer you by saying that the ‘faithful’ you mention fail to rightly divide the scriptures, 2Tim.2:15. If they study the bible in the correct context, they will learn that tithing was an instruction for Israel under the prophetic Kingdom program* (which is currently suspended). The tithe is an instruction exclusively to Israel (to the Jews). It formed part of their law and the offering of a 10th of their harvest and other things was to honour God and thank Him for His providence, (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). This program of Law has been put on hold in our age. Paul says that we are no longer under the law, but under grace (Rom.6:14). 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for G...

SOCIAL MEDIA STATEMENT AND QUESTION: John 3:7 paraphrased - “… I said unto you that everyone must be born again”. Everyone is everyone - not just Jews being born again. Remember what Jesus said in John 3:3? “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Here Jesus is talking about the “kingdom of God”. So, is this a Jewish kingdom or a heavenly and eternal kingdom of God message? MY REPLY: Everyone must be saved, yes. But we must understand the different plans of salvation in the Bible. The earthly ministry of Jesus was only to the Jews. In the KJV the word “Ye” is not a reference to 'everyone' (as you suggest), but a reference to Israel exclusively. Jesus never addressed Gentiles , Matt.15:24. Prophecy even dictates that it is Israel first that must be saved so that they would be a light unto the Gentiles. This is the reason why Jesus said to that woman, Matt.15:26 “But he answered and said, it...

The following are some responses to the previous post uploaded concerning Paul's "my gospel" and rightly dividing the Word. If one does not rightly divide the Word, it will become confusing, as is evident in this person's comments. The comments are all directly related to mixing up the Kingdom and Grace doctrines. It is not only sad to see such confusion, but it is dangerous to spread such false doctrine because anyone out there who is uninformed about sound doctrine will believe it and get all twisted up in confusion and contradiction too. We are to STUDY the Word for ourselves, not rely on things we have learned from preachers, or books, or YouTube. Our ONLY source of truth in the King James Bible. Read it, cross reference scripture, learn its true context, and be edified by it alone. If you find content outside of the Bible, don't believe it until you have searched the scriptures yourself.  COMMENT: If Paul was really preaching another gospel, then how could h...

QUESTION: Why can’t I take the words of Jesus and ignore those of Paul? I’m on my way back to Jesus after a long separation and Paul is the main barrier. ANSWER: The Lord Himself chose and separated Paul for a special ministry. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles. Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: The 13 epistles that he wrote contains information that is relevant for the Body of Christ today. This is important to realize as the contents of the Bible, outside of Paul’s epistles are written to Israel and is doctrine for the Jews under Law. Even Jesus ministry was towards the Jews. This is why Jesus Himself said, Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. and… Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law [as a Jew], 5 to redeem those who were under the law [Jews], When Jesus appea...

How can God mean more to me? Assuming that you have responded in faith to the grace gospel, the only way (and means) to learn more about God is to gain knowledge of His Word. The whole reason why we have the Word of God is to know Him, and the more we know Him, the more He will mean to you. How do we study the Word? Paul gives us the way: Rom 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to … my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, … according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: First, we hear and respond to the gospel so we can be quickened in spirit, and we can start to perceive the heart of God, 1Co 2:11-16. Second, we study the preaching of Jesus Christ, but NOT his earthly ministry in the four gospels, but his teachings revealed in Paul’s 13-...

CLAIMS: What you are calling the mystery program is the new covenant and is supposed to be understood spiritually with a spiritual mind. It is definitely prophesied about all the way through the Bible. The term mystery program is not biblical, and this division is not a division at all but what the spiritual truth of the new covenant should be and what all Christians should learn. CORRECTION: For most of my Christian life I supported your views, but after learning and applying right dividing, the scriptures became much less confusing and contradictory. The Bible was just a book for 40 years of my life; now it is a treasure trove of truth and a blueprint of God’s wisdom and redemption. Right division has opened up the scriptures in ways which it NEVER did when I held my previous views. I’m not writing this to change your views. I’m simply clarifying what I believe based on a few of the comments in your reply. I do not see the mystery program as the New Covenant. The reason is be...

QUESTION: Can you lose salvation? YES. It seems fairly conclusive that you can indeed lose salvation by various means from this selection at least. Yes by doing an unforgivable sin. We agree with Jesus on this at least. Yes, Hebrews 6 4–6. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened … If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance” Yes, Hebrews 10:26 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” Yes, Mark 3: 28–29 “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation”. ANSWER: If you choose not to rightly divide the scriptures (2Tim.2:15), and you don’t acknowledge the TWO programs (prophecy and mystery), contained in the redemption plan of God, then this is naturally what you’d conclude. However, since it is plainly clear that God’s Prophetic program for Israel, under the law, is different from God’s Mystery program for t...

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: In Eph.2:7-13, Paul uses phrases like 'Time Past', 'But Now', and 'Ages to Come'. What I don't understand is time past. How could anyone say The Gospels are time past when most people are saying the Old Testament is time past. What I've been taught for years is that the Old Testament is for learning, the New Testament was the history of our One and true God, because of what He did on the cross, and through this I have hope. The only thing I'm waiting for is to be comforted in His arms when he returns. If I'm wrong please enlighten me. We all are here to learn. ANSWER: Thank you for your comment. I like the way you ended your paragraph above. I agree that we are all here to learn. When I publish these posts of mine, I trust that they will trigger the interest of some readers to ask questions and learn something new, but I also am open to learn from their comments. The Word says that we all know in part. I honestly believe that our edific...

QUESTION: “Rightly dividing the Word” doesn’t mean to divide the word against itself, accepting some things, and rejecting others, (I guess because scripture is faulty). In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul is instructing Timothy to rightly divide the word of God. Scholars defines ‘right division’ as to handle correctly, to set forth truthfully. So, we are not to divide it up, but unite it together bringing it all in context. The correct understanding is that they must agree.   To do so, some people desperately need the Holy Spirit’s guidance as to how to do this, not throwing away Paul for Jesus, or the other way around. Both need to be united together to be produce correct doctrine. ANSWER: Dear reader, if scripture is faulty then it is in the faulty interpretations of the mind of man! Let God be true and every man a liar. I agree that dividing the word is not accepting some things and rejecting others. The whole Word is the full counsel of God and the whole Word provides us the full co...

QUESTION: You say that in Jesus earthly ministry he was preparing and saving Israel to inherit the earth. If Jesus was only preparing Jews for an earthly kingdom, why did he talk about the kingdom of heaven in Mat 5:19-20? ANSWER: Your scripture reference reads, Mat 5:19-20 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Although (only) Matthew uses the phrase  “kingdom of heaven” , we can be sure, according to a myriad of additional prophecy in the bible, that this kingdom is the ‘earthly’ inheritance of God’s people when Jesus comes back at His second advent. This  “kingdom of heaven”  can easily be un...

Comments from an anonymous party based on the following scripture: 1Cor.13:8-12 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. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Dear reader, what I wrote afore becomes clearly evident when you understand and apply the requirement of right division in the Word, according to 2Tim.2:15. Israel is to be merged into or blended with the doctrine of Grace. They are separate programs and doctrines altogether. Let me point to some things that you write: COMMENT: Acts 2:39...

COMMENT: You say, “Repentance and water baptism is part of the salvation requirements in the Kingdom gospel for Israel. They [Israel] are commanded to repent for their unbelief and crucifying their Messiah. Water baptism is required to fulfil the priestly calling they have according to Exo.19:5–6, which they will fulfill in the Millennial Kingdom.” So, you call obedience to repentance and water baptism, works? How sad. You haven’t obeyed Jesus and Peter. MY RESPONSE: According to Paul’s writings we are to obey the living Word within us. You see, when we read the Word and fill ourselves with it, then it starts to renew our mind. It starts to influence our thoughts and actions. Giving ourselves over to obey that which the Word works out of us is what we obey unto righteousness. See what Paul writes in connection with this, Rom 6:16-17 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedien...