Colossians 1:25-27 25Of this church I was made a minister
according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I
might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26that is, the mystery which has been
hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to
His saints, 27to whom God willed to make known what is the
riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory.
Two days ago we considered what exactly frames the Bible's message - namely God's Administrative reign. In Ephesians 3:1-10 we looked at the word translated "administration" or "dispensation", noting that a dispensation is a period, an age, an arrangement whereby God orchestrates history to progressively reveal His purposes to man. Today I want to outline what I find mostly helpful about dispensational thought. Like all theological systems - dispensationalism is not perfect (which is why I find it "mostly helpful"). As always, I believe we need to evaluate all our systems of belief, cherished or otherwise, by the only standard of faith and practice - the Bible. In today's blog I have included some endnotes for those who may want more information and/or resources for further research.
Viewing God's Creation and redemption as a house ran by the Owner
The word translated "stewardship" in Colossians is the same Greek word we find in Ephesians 3:9 by the term "administration". A house in the Bible times was operated under the authority of a Master, with a person called a "steward" running the affairs of the house when the Master was out of town. Joseph in Genesis 39:4 was made an "overseer", a "steward" of Potiphar's house. We see this similar idea of a steward (albeit a very poor one) taking care of his master's estate in one of Jesus' parables of Luke 16. In viewing the Bible as the Book of ages, dispensational teaching views creation as God's house, and man as His steward.
God's plan of the ages - the hallmark theme of dispensational teaching
In the above passage of Colossians 1:25-27, we see key ideas that zero us in on the plan of God for the ages. First, God administrates or "rules" over the "house" of His world. A dispensation has to do with how He "dispenses" His providential reign throughout history. Second, we see a particular "mystery", hidden in former ages but revealed in this present age. I would classify this mystery as the church. (compare Ephesians 3:9-10; 5:23) Thirdly, we see a progression of revelation from older ages to this age to the world to come. Then finally, see see an ultimate purpose, namely the revelation of Christ in you - the hope of glory.
How Bible teachers have communicated the Bible as the book of ages, the story of God running the house of creation and redemption
Early Church History
The idea of understanding God's progressive revelation of His word through successive ages is not a new idea. A chief example of this is in the writings of the fourth century church father Augustine. In his massive summary of redemptive history: "The City of God", Augustine closes out Book 22 with the following outline of Biblical history:
1. From Adam to Noah = 10 generations
2. From Noah to Abraham = 10 generations
3. Matthew's Gospel begins with Abraham to David = 14 generations
4. From David to the Jews exile into Babylon = 14 generations
5. From the return from exile to Jesus' day = fourteen generations
1600's to 1700's
The idea of God running his world as a house is captured by the word "administration" or "dispensation". In times past, Bible teachers used this term to describe God's administrative rule. For instance, the Baptist Confession of Faith, written in 1689, describes God's providential rule as His governing history to accomplish His most wise and holy ends through successive ages or "dispensations". Throughout the history of the church, viewing the Bible as the Book of Ages has aided God's people in better understanding the whole of scripture.
1800's
The 1800's saw the teaching of men like John Nelson Darby adding the features of the sharp distinction of Israel and the Church and dispensations as periods of testing for man to the DNA of dispensational theology.1 It at this point we see the more modern and recent development of dispensationalism as an interpretive system. In the early twentieth century, men like C.I Scofield produced the widely popular "Scofield Study Bible" - which built its study notes around a more developed concept of dispensations in the spirit of Darby's teachings.2
1800's to 1900's
Other teachers like Lewis Sperry Chafer had been influential in the founding of Dispensational schools like Dallas Theological seminary, influencing a whole generation of preachers who combatted liberalism in much of American's pulpits. Chafer championed the idea of making sharp distinctions between Israel and the Church and major differences between the Old and New Testament revelation. In the 1960's another influential and respected Bible Scholar, Charles Ryrie, produced His "Ryrie Study Bible" - building its notes around a modified form of dispensational understanding of the Bible. Dr. Ryrie later on wrote a book called "Dispensationalism Today", which was revised in 1995 under the shorter title: "Dispensationalism". 3
Strengths and Weaknesses of Dispensational Teaching
Charles Ryrie in his book: "Dispensationalism", defines a dispensation as a distinguishable economy wherein we see the outworking of God's purpose. An earlier teacher, Harry Ironside, stated that dispensational teaching views scripture as a succession of ages, where in each age we may see particular conditions or patterns prevailing more or in different forms than in other ages. So far such an idea is undoubtedly biblical. We obviously don't need to offer sacrifices anymore, since the Old Testament Age has passed, and the New Testament era was ushered in by Christ and the sending of His Spirit. (compare Hebrews 8-10)
To keep things as simple as possible, I'll identify three essential points that are emphasized by both earlier and later forms of dispensational thought. These three assumptions are ones that I find helpful in understanding the scope of scripture:
A. Distinction of three groups of people in the Bible - The Gentiles, the Church and Israel. (1 Corinthians 10:32) Dispensational teachers of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries tended to make Israel and the Church two separate peoples of God (what they called Israel the earthly people and the church, the heavenly people) In recent years, dispensationalism as a Bible study movement has been in a process of revising and improving upon its earlier excesses.4 In working one's way through the Bible, I would advise folks to retain the distinctions between Israel, the Church and the Gentiles.
B. Following, as much a possible, a literal reading of Bible prophecies and letting the Historical, Grammatical and literary (or as some call it rhetorical) context of scripture govern our interpretation. I by and large advocate this approach to Bible interpretation. I would also emphasize reading both Testaments in light of the Person and work of Christ.5
C. God's progress of revelation of His redemptive plan, with God's glory in Christ as being the goal of the Biblical message. Men like Dr. Charles Ryrie has outlined these essentials in what I would term to be a mostly helpful book: "Dispensationalism". 6
With these agreements, I also find a couple of weaknesses, or at least areas where I would find small differences with Dispensational teaching.
A. God's main means for forwarding history is heavily dependant upon God offering man His revelation, man's failure to obey that revelation, with the final part of the cycle being judgment. Dr. Ryrie states that Dispensationalism on the one hand sees history forward through the dispensations or "ages" by the Divine purposes of God. Yet so much of his dispensational system is (at times) heavily dependant upon the actions of man. Though we do see judgment and man's failure in every age, yet God's forwarding of His purposes is due moreso to Christ's return and Revelation of Himself at the end of history.
B. Dispensational theology by nature likes to divide and make distinctions. If not regulated, dispensationalism can end up making too sharp of distinctions, failing to define the unity of scripture that it labors to achieve.7
I clearly, by and large, find much help in viewing the Bible "dispensationally". However, I do think that God's dealings with creation and mankind by way of Covenants needs to be also equally emphasized. More on that in later blogs.
End Notes:
1 John Nelson Darby was a Bible Teacher who came from the Plymouth Brethren movement. It was by teachings such as his that Bible Conferences sprung up on American Soil in the late 1800's. Whether or not readers may agree with what came out of those conferences, God used such movements to combat the deadly forces of liberalism that were threatening churches in the early twentieth century.
2. C.I Scofield was the first Bible teacher to take the various strains of more modern dispensational teaching and put it together in a coherent system of notes in the widely read "Scofield Study Bible". In the 1960's the notes were revised and later on at the end of the twentieth century "The Scofield III" Study Bible was produced. Scofield popularized the notion of Israel being God's "earthly people" and the church being His "Heavenly people".
3. Dr. Charles Ryrie taught for many years at Dallas Theological Seminary. His "Ryrie Study Bible" is a very good Study Bible. I by and large have great respect for Dr. Ryrie as a Bible teacher, and by and large agree with him on major points.
4. In the 1960's men such as Dr. Charles Ryrie and Dr. John Walvoord began to soften the distinctions between the Church and Israel and show the unity of redemptive thought running through the Bible. In the 1990's a movement called "Progressive Dispensationalism", further softened the sharpened distinctions, saying that the church is distinguished from Israel in terms of the types of blessings received. Men such as Dr. Craig Blaising and Darrell Bock have been the chief proponents of this viewpoint. The Church, in their view, has blessings flowing from its relationship to Christ post cross, whereas Israel, set aside for the moment, will receive blessings in the future (Christ's thousand year reign) that were promised Pre-cross. Both the Church and Israel in Eternity will then enjoy equal blessings.
5. Older forms of dispensational teaching tended either to not emphasize or limited the reading of the Old Testament through the lense of Christ's Person and work. Thankfully newer forms of dispensational thought have considered more seriously the centrality of Christ, especially as He fulfilled the promises to both Abraham and David. As the fulfillment of those covenants, Christ dispenses those blessings spiritually via the New Covenant to the Church and will dispense the physical blessings to Israel when He returns to reign for 1,000 years.
6. Charles Ryrie. "Dispensationalism". Moody Press. 1995
7. Scofield in the first editions of his study Bible made such a sharp distinction between the Old and New Testament that his study notes attached to John 1:17-18 unwittingly communicated two ways of salvation: by way of the law and by way of Christ. Extremes such as these were corrected in later editions.
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Saturday, September 15, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
The Bible - Book of Covenants
Romans 9:1-5 1I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying,
my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have
great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3For I could
wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of
my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4who are
Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the
covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the
promises, 5whose are the fathers, and from whom is the
Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
The meaning of the word Covenant
Yesterday we looked at how God's administrative reign over the ages frames the overall message of scripture. Through the successive administrations or "dispensations" of God through history, the wonderful purpose of scripture is revealed: God's glory in Jesus Christ. As we mentioned the other day, another way of considering the Bible's unfolding message is by looking at the Covenants. A Covenant is simply a binding agreement made between two parties. The Old Testament Hebrew word for covenant is "berith" (bay-rith) and literally refers to that which is cut. In the New Testament, especially in the books of Galatians and Hebrews, the Greek word "diatheke" (dee-a-thay-kay) is used to describe two parties making an agreement with one another. Today we want to consider the Bible - Book of Covenants, and discover why the covenants lie at the center of the Bible's message.
1. Featured work of the Covenants - Salvation.
Romans 9:1-3
When we begin to look at Paul's opening remarks in this chapter of Romans, we cannot help but notice his broken heart over the lost condition of His fellow Jews. In a sense he would gladly be condemned if it could mean their salvation. Scripture's chief work is that of salvation. How is it that Paul has developed such a heart for his lost countrymen? By virtue of the fact that to them was given among other things the promises and the "covenants".
The New Testament bears out the chief purpose of God giving his Covenants throughout history - to progressively reveal His unified plan of redemption. A quick survey of the New Testament reveals this was the main work revealed by the Old Testament Covenants.
a. Luke 1:71-72 "Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 72To show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant"
b. Acts 3:25-26 25“It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ 26“For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
c. Ephesians 2:12-13 "remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
The Covenantal structure of the Bible was designed to progressively reveal the unified plan of God's salvation. This salvation was revealed through Israel in the Old Testament Age, proclaimed by the church in the New Testament age, pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ, the mediator and Savior of all who believe on Him. It is upon reflection on these covenants that Paul is stirred to such emotion and heartbreak over his kinsmen. They all point to the salvation of God, by God in human flesh - Jesus Christ.
2. Featured Covenants of scripture Romans 9:4
Paul notes in Romans 9:4 - "who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises". Now I underlined that word "covenants" since the other items in this verse are associated in one way or another with them. God's promises were revealed, along with the redemptive identity of Israel as God's chosen people. The revelation of the Law contained some of these Covenants and God's glory in salvation is their aim. Below is a list of some of the featured covenants of scripture. I will mainly list their verse references and commonly given names, since a detailed exposition of each is not the aim of today's blog.
a. Covenant of Works - Genesis 1:26-28; 2:16-17. God promised man eternal fellowship if he obeyed these simple commands. We know that man broke this covenant, and that it was indeed a covenant, based off of Job 31:33 and Hosea 6:7. It was the breaking of this covenant in the garden of Eden that led to sin and the curse being pronounced upon Adam and his descendants.
b. Covenant of Grace - Genesis 3:15,20-21. God gave Eve the promise of a "seed" or a descendant who would come and defeat the serpent. Adam's confession of faith concerning her identity as the seed bearer and God's clothing of them with animal skins reveals a second covenant, one based off of shed blood and grace alone through faith alone. This pattern would be the one used by God to communicate salvation throughout the scripture.
c. Noahic Covenant - Genesis 9:16-18. God promised that He would never destroy the world with a deluge of water ever again. By the sign of the rainbow, mankind can see mute testimony of God's mercy and common grace on both the just and the unjust. The fact that rainbows can be seen worldwide is one of the evidences of the worldwide scope of the flood.
d. Abrahamic Covenant - Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22. God revealed Himself to Abraham and told him that through his "seed" would all families be blessed. This repetition of the Covenant of Grace shows the patterns of that covenant: "a seed" (Genesis 12); confirmation by the shedding of blood (Genesis 15, 17) and the promise of a redeemer to come (Galatians 3-4). Initially referring to Israel, this covenant would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ, spiritually include all who by grace through faith believed on Christ throughout the ages, and will be finally fulfilled when Israel (temporarily set aside in this church age) is restored at Christ's return.
e. Mosaic Covenant - Exodus 19-20. This Covenant functions much like the first Covenant of works, in that it can be summarized by Jesus' statement in Luke 10:28 - "Do this and you will live". This Covenant does not promote a second way of salvation, rather it points to the sole way of salvation - by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. According to Galatians 3:24, the primary purpose of God's revelation of the law was to point the way to God's covenant of grace in Jesus Christ. The Law was never meant to grant righteousness, but rather demand it.
f. Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel 7:13-16. King David was promised an heir who would occupy Israel throne. Initially the covenant was for David's physical descendants, however the covenant was fulfilled initially when Christ ascended as the King over His church, and will be fulfilled ultimately when He returns to rule over Israel as her Davidic King in the 1,000 year reign.
g. New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-34 This Covenant is a bringing together of the glorious promises of blessings first stated in the Abrahamic Covenant. It promises the indwelling Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, God's law written on the heart and personal relationship with God. It is spiritually being fulfilled in this church age and will be fulfilled in a literal way to Israel at Christ's return.
3. Featured Focus of the Covenants - Jesus Christ Romans 9:5
The one word that permeates almost all of these featured covenants is the term "seed". The idea of "seed" refers to a promised redeemer. The Covenant of Grace in Genesis 3:15 unscores this idea of seed. From the Noahic Covenant the "seed" promise continued through the bloodline of Shem. The Abrahamic Covenant features this term "seed" - point to Christ. (Galatians 3:16) The Davidic Covenant also centers around this concept of "seed", pointing to Christ - the true King. (Romans 1:1-3). Christ of course revealed Himself to be the Mediator of the New Covenant. (Luke 22:20)
The meaning of the word Covenant
Yesterday we looked at how God's administrative reign over the ages frames the overall message of scripture. Through the successive administrations or "dispensations" of God through history, the wonderful purpose of scripture is revealed: God's glory in Jesus Christ. As we mentioned the other day, another way of considering the Bible's unfolding message is by looking at the Covenants. A Covenant is simply a binding agreement made between two parties. The Old Testament Hebrew word for covenant is "berith" (bay-rith) and literally refers to that which is cut. In the New Testament, especially in the books of Galatians and Hebrews, the Greek word "diatheke" (dee-a-thay-kay) is used to describe two parties making an agreement with one another. Today we want to consider the Bible - Book of Covenants, and discover why the covenants lie at the center of the Bible's message.
1. Featured work of the Covenants - Salvation.
Romans 9:1-3
When we begin to look at Paul's opening remarks in this chapter of Romans, we cannot help but notice his broken heart over the lost condition of His fellow Jews. In a sense he would gladly be condemned if it could mean their salvation. Scripture's chief work is that of salvation. How is it that Paul has developed such a heart for his lost countrymen? By virtue of the fact that to them was given among other things the promises and the "covenants".
The New Testament bears out the chief purpose of God giving his Covenants throughout history - to progressively reveal His unified plan of redemption. A quick survey of the New Testament reveals this was the main work revealed by the Old Testament Covenants.
a. Luke 1:71-72 "Salvation FROM OUR ENEMIES, And FROM THE HAND OF ALL WHO HATE US; 72To show mercy toward our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant"
b. Acts 3:25-26 25“It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ 26“For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”
c. Ephesians 2:12-13 "remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
The Covenantal structure of the Bible was designed to progressively reveal the unified plan of God's salvation. This salvation was revealed through Israel in the Old Testament Age, proclaimed by the church in the New Testament age, pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ, the mediator and Savior of all who believe on Him. It is upon reflection on these covenants that Paul is stirred to such emotion and heartbreak over his kinsmen. They all point to the salvation of God, by God in human flesh - Jesus Christ.
2. Featured Covenants of scripture Romans 9:4
Paul notes in Romans 9:4 - "who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises". Now I underlined that word "covenants" since the other items in this verse are associated in one way or another with them. God's promises were revealed, along with the redemptive identity of Israel as God's chosen people. The revelation of the Law contained some of these Covenants and God's glory in salvation is their aim. Below is a list of some of the featured covenants of scripture. I will mainly list their verse references and commonly given names, since a detailed exposition of each is not the aim of today's blog.
a. Covenant of Works - Genesis 1:26-28; 2:16-17. God promised man eternal fellowship if he obeyed these simple commands. We know that man broke this covenant, and that it was indeed a covenant, based off of Job 31:33 and Hosea 6:7. It was the breaking of this covenant in the garden of Eden that led to sin and the curse being pronounced upon Adam and his descendants.
b. Covenant of Grace - Genesis 3:15,20-21. God gave Eve the promise of a "seed" or a descendant who would come and defeat the serpent. Adam's confession of faith concerning her identity as the seed bearer and God's clothing of them with animal skins reveals a second covenant, one based off of shed blood and grace alone through faith alone. This pattern would be the one used by God to communicate salvation throughout the scripture.
c. Noahic Covenant - Genesis 9:16-18. God promised that He would never destroy the world with a deluge of water ever again. By the sign of the rainbow, mankind can see mute testimony of God's mercy and common grace on both the just and the unjust. The fact that rainbows can be seen worldwide is one of the evidences of the worldwide scope of the flood.
d. Abrahamic Covenant - Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22. God revealed Himself to Abraham and told him that through his "seed" would all families be blessed. This repetition of the Covenant of Grace shows the patterns of that covenant: "a seed" (Genesis 12); confirmation by the shedding of blood (Genesis 15, 17) and the promise of a redeemer to come (Galatians 3-4). Initially referring to Israel, this covenant would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ, spiritually include all who by grace through faith believed on Christ throughout the ages, and will be finally fulfilled when Israel (temporarily set aside in this church age) is restored at Christ's return.
e. Mosaic Covenant - Exodus 19-20. This Covenant functions much like the first Covenant of works, in that it can be summarized by Jesus' statement in Luke 10:28 - "Do this and you will live". This Covenant does not promote a second way of salvation, rather it points to the sole way of salvation - by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. According to Galatians 3:24, the primary purpose of God's revelation of the law was to point the way to God's covenant of grace in Jesus Christ. The Law was never meant to grant righteousness, but rather demand it.
f. Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel 7:13-16. King David was promised an heir who would occupy Israel throne. Initially the covenant was for David's physical descendants, however the covenant was fulfilled initially when Christ ascended as the King over His church, and will be fulfilled ultimately when He returns to rule over Israel as her Davidic King in the 1,000 year reign.
g. New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-34 This Covenant is a bringing together of the glorious promises of blessings first stated in the Abrahamic Covenant. It promises the indwelling Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, God's law written on the heart and personal relationship with God. It is spiritually being fulfilled in this church age and will be fulfilled in a literal way to Israel at Christ's return.
3. Featured Focus of the Covenants - Jesus Christ Romans 9:5
The one word that permeates almost all of these featured covenants is the term "seed". The idea of "seed" refers to a promised redeemer. The Covenant of Grace in Genesis 3:15 unscores this idea of seed. From the Noahic Covenant the "seed" promise continued through the bloodline of Shem. The Abrahamic Covenant features this term "seed" - point to Christ. (Galatians 3:16) The Davidic Covenant also centers around this concept of "seed", pointing to Christ - the true King. (Romans 1:1-3). Christ of course revealed Himself to be the Mediator of the New Covenant. (Luke 22:20)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
The Bible - Book of Ages
Ephesians 3:8-11 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the
Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9and to
bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been
hidden in God who created all things; 10so
that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to
the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was in accordance with the eternal
purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Introduction - The Bible's Message
Yesterday we looked over two main themes that Bible teachers have suggested to be central themes that the Bible is built around: Dispensations and Covenants. Dispensations are God's Administration of history through successive periods of time in which He governs the world and redemption like a Master running a house. Covenants are the binding agreements that God has chosen to enter into with His people throughout redemptive history. This Blogger would like to suggest that one does not have to choose between either/or, since both ideas have positively contributed their share to understanding the message of the Bible.
Beginning to piece together the biblical puzzle
With that said I would like to consider today how the Bible's overall message is framed around the idea of God's administration of our world and redemption. Think of a large puzzle. Whenever you put together a puzzle, where do you begin? With the edge pieces. Why? Because it is the edge pieces that have the straight edges, corners and "frame" the boundaries of the puzzle. How does God run His world? How does He administrate his plans and purposes? All of these questions are answered when we consider the concept of "dispensations".
God's Upper Story Plan for the ages
Authors Randy Frazee and Max Lucado have developed a marvelous study the features a two-story view of biblical history called "The Story". In the study, the suggestion is made that God has an "Upper Story" plan while we here on earth are in the "Lower Story". Max Lucado defines these two ideas as follows: "God's Upper Story plan is simply referring to His Eternal plans, whereas the lower story is our daily working out of life. It is in our daily working out of life that we aim to adapt and conform our lower story to God's upper story." 1
Clearly such an idea of viewing history and the Bible in a bi-level way finds precedent in scripture. Philippians 2:12-13 tells us to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (lower story), for it is God who is working in you His perfect and pleasing will" (upper story). Or how about Colossians 3:1-3, where we are instructed to "seek those things above where Christ is (upper story). For only then can we prioritize "lower story life" in the right way. (Matthew 6:33)
It is this Upper story plan that occupies our attention today. The term "dispensation" (KJV) or "Administration" is defined in Ephesians 3:1-10 as referring to God's Upper Story plan for the Ages. What does the Bible reveal about God's Administrative Reign? How do the dispensations bear out the frame work of the Bible's message? Consider the thoughts below:
1. Plan of the Ages. Ephesians 3:1-4
Paul writes in Ephesians 3:1-2 1"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief." Now what is this "mystery" of which Paul already spoke about in Ephesians? We read these words in Ephesians 1:9-10 "made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him"
God's plan of the ages is administrated by Him and for Him. Furthermore, we discover that God has given a measure of stewardship of the revelation of that plan to His people. The mystery refers to something previously hidden or unknown that required revelation. What is the mystery? That the Gentiles would have a share in the promises given originally to Israel in the Old Testament. While not negating God's plan for Israel, this new stage in God's plan for the ages would be called "The Church". (Ephesians 3:10)
The first two main ages of scripture did not fully reveal this revelation (namely the Beginning Age and the Old Testament Age), however it was to be in this current age, the "Church Age", that the full bloom of this truth, hinted at but not ever revealed in the Old Testament, was to be revealed. The Church age, this current age, is the "middle age" of the five ages of the Book of ages, with the last two being the "Kingdom Age" (Millenial reign of Jesus Christ) bridging into the Age to come, the New Heavens and New Earth.
2. The Progressive Revelation of God's Message of the Scripture Ephesians 3:5-6
God's "Upper Story Plan", His Administrative reign over the household of His creation and redemption was certainly His plan for the ages. But the nature of this plan was to be progressive revelation. The Bible was written over a period of 1500 years, by forty different authors, writing in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, living on Europe, Asia and Africa. In Ephesians 3:5-6 we get a taste of the progress of this revelation of the mystery of the Gospel to which Paul speaks. He tells us that it was hidden for "previous generations". That takes us back through the former age, the Old Testament. According to Ephesians 1:10 God had conceived of this plan in eternity, and began speaking of it to Adam and Eve right after creation. Not even the fall into sin could disrupt God's marvelous plan.
As time and history progressed, God revealed each piece of the biblical puzzle to the prophets, then through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 2:1-2 we read that in various times, places and ways God spoke to the fore fathers, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son. The Apostles and the New Testament roundout the objective revelation of God through words.
We have the full revelation of God, and now are charged by Christ and His Spirit to carry forth this gospel, progressively revealed to the ages, in these last days. From the beginning age, through the Old Testament age, into this church age, we are to tell the whole world about Christ. We are to tell them that Christ is coming again to set up His kingdom - the Kingdom age. We're to tell them to be ready, to escape the wrath to come. Eternity, the Age to Come, will come to pass. What men must do is repent and believe on Jesus in this current age.
3. The Person of Christ - the central Person of God's message of the Bible - Ephesians 3:11-12
Ephesians 3:11-12 states - "11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him."
The Bible is God's Book of the Ages because it tells us about Jesus Christ - the King of the Ages. Christ is indeed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Plan of the Ages, progressively revealed, in each successive dispensation or administration of God, is to set for the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. God's glory in Christ is the wonderful purpose of scripture. As we consider the Bible, the book of the ages, may we be a people who have by grace, through faith, believe on Him and live ever for Him.
End Notes____________
1. Frazee Randy and max Lucado - The Story: Getting to the Heart of God's Story DVD - Session 1. Zondervan Publishing. 2011
Introduction - The Bible's Message
Yesterday we looked over two main themes that Bible teachers have suggested to be central themes that the Bible is built around: Dispensations and Covenants. Dispensations are God's Administration of history through successive periods of time in which He governs the world and redemption like a Master running a house. Covenants are the binding agreements that God has chosen to enter into with His people throughout redemptive history. This Blogger would like to suggest that one does not have to choose between either/or, since both ideas have positively contributed their share to understanding the message of the Bible.
Beginning to piece together the biblical puzzle
With that said I would like to consider today how the Bible's overall message is framed around the idea of God's administration of our world and redemption. Think of a large puzzle. Whenever you put together a puzzle, where do you begin? With the edge pieces. Why? Because it is the edge pieces that have the straight edges, corners and "frame" the boundaries of the puzzle. How does God run His world? How does He administrate his plans and purposes? All of these questions are answered when we consider the concept of "dispensations".
God's Upper Story Plan for the ages
Authors Randy Frazee and Max Lucado have developed a marvelous study the features a two-story view of biblical history called "The Story". In the study, the suggestion is made that God has an "Upper Story" plan while we here on earth are in the "Lower Story". Max Lucado defines these two ideas as follows: "God's Upper Story plan is simply referring to His Eternal plans, whereas the lower story is our daily working out of life. It is in our daily working out of life that we aim to adapt and conform our lower story to God's upper story." 1
Clearly such an idea of viewing history and the Bible in a bi-level way finds precedent in scripture. Philippians 2:12-13 tells us to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling" (lower story), for it is God who is working in you His perfect and pleasing will" (upper story). Or how about Colossians 3:1-3, where we are instructed to "seek those things above where Christ is (upper story). For only then can we prioritize "lower story life" in the right way. (Matthew 6:33)
It is this Upper story plan that occupies our attention today. The term "dispensation" (KJV) or "Administration" is defined in Ephesians 3:1-10 as referring to God's Upper Story plan for the Ages. What does the Bible reveal about God's Administrative Reign? How do the dispensations bear out the frame work of the Bible's message? Consider the thoughts below:
1. Plan of the Ages. Ephesians 3:1-4
Paul writes in Ephesians 3:1-2 1"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief." Now what is this "mystery" of which Paul already spoke about in Ephesians? We read these words in Ephesians 1:9-10 "made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him"
God's plan of the ages is administrated by Him and for Him. Furthermore, we discover that God has given a measure of stewardship of the revelation of that plan to His people. The mystery refers to something previously hidden or unknown that required revelation. What is the mystery? That the Gentiles would have a share in the promises given originally to Israel in the Old Testament. While not negating God's plan for Israel, this new stage in God's plan for the ages would be called "The Church". (Ephesians 3:10)
The first two main ages of scripture did not fully reveal this revelation (namely the Beginning Age and the Old Testament Age), however it was to be in this current age, the "Church Age", that the full bloom of this truth, hinted at but not ever revealed in the Old Testament, was to be revealed. The Church age, this current age, is the "middle age" of the five ages of the Book of ages, with the last two being the "Kingdom Age" (Millenial reign of Jesus Christ) bridging into the Age to come, the New Heavens and New Earth.
2. The Progressive Revelation of God's Message of the Scripture Ephesians 3:5-6
God's "Upper Story Plan", His Administrative reign over the household of His creation and redemption was certainly His plan for the ages. But the nature of this plan was to be progressive revelation. The Bible was written over a period of 1500 years, by forty different authors, writing in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, living on Europe, Asia and Africa. In Ephesians 3:5-6 we get a taste of the progress of this revelation of the mystery of the Gospel to which Paul speaks. He tells us that it was hidden for "previous generations". That takes us back through the former age, the Old Testament. According to Ephesians 1:10 God had conceived of this plan in eternity, and began speaking of it to Adam and Eve right after creation. Not even the fall into sin could disrupt God's marvelous plan.
As time and history progressed, God revealed each piece of the biblical puzzle to the prophets, then through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 2:1-2 we read that in various times, places and ways God spoke to the fore fathers, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son. The Apostles and the New Testament roundout the objective revelation of God through words.
We have the full revelation of God, and now are charged by Christ and His Spirit to carry forth this gospel, progressively revealed to the ages, in these last days. From the beginning age, through the Old Testament age, into this church age, we are to tell the whole world about Christ. We are to tell them that Christ is coming again to set up His kingdom - the Kingdom age. We're to tell them to be ready, to escape the wrath to come. Eternity, the Age to Come, will come to pass. What men must do is repent and believe on Jesus in this current age.
3. The Person of Christ - the central Person of God's message of the Bible - Ephesians 3:11-12
Ephesians 3:11-12 states - "11This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him."
The Bible is God's Book of the Ages because it tells us about Jesus Christ - the King of the Ages. Christ is indeed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Plan of the Ages, progressively revealed, in each successive dispensation or administration of God, is to set for the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. God's glory in Christ is the wonderful purpose of scripture. As we consider the Bible, the book of the ages, may we be a people who have by grace, through faith, believe on Him and live ever for Him.
End Notes____________
1. Frazee Randy and max Lucado - The Story: Getting to the Heart of God's Story DVD - Session 1. Zondervan Publishing. 2011
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Putting together the Bible's Big Pieces
Ephesians 1:9-10 9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
Romans 9:4-5 4who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Defining the Bible's Big Pieces
Yesterday we looked at why Christians need to know the overall pattern and themes of the Bible. Today we want to begin defining what the Bible's big pieces are and how they fit together. In the realm of biblical theology, two schools of thought have emerged that attempt to define the message and purpose of scripture. Today I just want to give the general outline of each, leaving further details for later blogs down the road.
Scripture's message is framed by God''s reign or administration of His world - i.e dispensations
The first school of thought views the Bible as unfolding God's plan for the ages. History, redemption and the world are viewed by this
school as being likened unto a house over which God administrates His providential reign. In passages like Ephesians 1:9-10, this manner of God ruling His world like a "house" is referred to as His system of administrations, stewardships or as older versions call it: "dispensations". The term "dispensation" comes from a Latin term (dispensare) that we get our word "dispense" - thus a "soap dispenser" for example dispenses soap to wash hands, dishes or whatever we may need to clean things in a home.
This school of thought - called "dispensationalism", states that it is God's system of administrations or "dispensations" that is to be our focus in discerning the message of scripture. These dispensations or administrations are closely linked to God's progress of revelation through the ages. Teachers who espouse a dispensational understanding of scripture differ on how many such "ages", "administrations" or "dispensations" are outlined through the Bible. As I see it, the Bible defines five such ages:1
1. The Beginning Age (i.e creation) Genesis 1-2 (this theme of beginnings overlaps also into Genesis 3-11)
2. The Former Age (i.e Old Testament age) Genesis 3-Malachi (the former or Old Testament Age overlaps through the Gospels)
3. The Current Age (i.e New Testament age or church age) Acts -Jude (this age overlaps from the Gospels well into the Book of Revelation up through Revelation 19)
4. The Kingdom Age (i.e Christ thousand year reign following His second coming & restoration of Israel) Revelation 20 (This Age marks the end of the current age and bridges us into the Age to come)
5. The Age to come (i.e The New Heavens and New Earth) Revelation 21-22 (This final age will last forever and is essentially when all history is complete and the final judgment has occured, with unbelievers sadly but truly cast into the lake of fire, and believers in Christ being with the Lord for eternity).
Scripture's message and theme is centered around the biblical covenants
The second school of thought sees the message and themes of scripture centered not so much around the successive ages, administrations or dispensations of God as it does around the concept of Covenant.2 A covenant in the Bible is a binding agreement made between two people. Essentially in this view, covenant is how God relates to His world and to His people in particular. Like dispensationalism, I also find this second school of thought somewhat helpful, since the idea of Covenant is quite prominent in the Bible.
Since the theme of covenant is central, this system of Bible interpretation is naturally called "Covenant theology". Passages like Romans 9:4-5 are excellent examples of how the "covenants" play a key role in discerning the Bible's big picture. For now were are not going to go into extensive detail - rather I just want to introduce to you the two fundamental covenants stated by this system. The remaining covenants of the Bible are more fully revealed, and for now will only be listed, with a fuller treatment to come in future blogs.3
1. Covenant of works - This Covenant was given originally by God to Adam and his descendants. It was graciously givn by God, and its fulfillment was dependant upon Adam's obedience or disobedience to a handful of commands. Since Adam and Eve broke those commands in Genesis 3, the covenant of works was thus broken. The Covenant of works is taken by some to be repeated in principle is the Mosaic Covenant (i.e the Covenant at Sinai or The Law). The Mosaic Covenant's main function is to point people to God's salvation by grace through faith in Christ. More on this in later blogs.
2. Covenant of Grace - Covenant theologians state that God offered a second covenant- a covenant of grace - wherein the fulfillment of the Covenant was not going to lean on man's performance, but God's. God slayed two animals in Adam and Eve's place - laying the groundwork for this covenant - forgiveness of sins through the shedding of blood. (Genesis 3:15, 20-21) Second, by grace through faith was the sole means by which Adam, Eve and any of their descendants could ever hope to be reconciled with God. These elements mark the Gospel message find their repetition in the covenants of God with Abraham and David, as well as the New Covenant.
3. Noahaic Covenant - Genesis 9
4. Abrahamic Covenant - Genesis 12, 15, 17, 22.
5. Mosaic Covenant - Exodus 19-20
6. Davidic Covenant. 2 Samuel 7:13-16.
7. New Covenant. Jeremiah 31-33; Ezekiel 36:22-38; 2 Corinthians 3 & 5. (4)
As in all systems of Bible interpretation, these two mains systems must each be judged by scripture. Both systems have their strengths and weakness. The point today is to show the reader ways in which we can begin to think of how we can fit together the Bible's pieces. May we all have a greater desire to study God's Word, know Him more and make Him know.
End Notes_______________
1. Though I did not mention this in the main body of today's blog, let the reader be aware that these five "ages" are not separate or cut off from one another. Its not like you could had told on a wrist watch or calendar when the Age of the Old Testament ended and when the Current Age had begun. The transitions between one age and the next is marked by gradual transitioning, not sudden abruptness. The Book of Acts is a prime example of this, since the Jewish believers in the Lord had to have a "dispensational upgrade" from an Old Testament anticipation of God's promises to a New Testament understanding of Christ's fulfillment of those promises.
2. In Covenant theology to say that the stress is placed upon the Covenants does not mean there is not also mention of distinct periods of progressive revelation throughout the Bible. The point on this comment is that the basis of the God's progressive revelation in scripture lies on the covenants moreso than the successive ages.
3. The reader may note that I did not mention other important covenants like the, the Priestly Covenant with Phineas in Numbers 25:10-18 and the Land Covenant with Israel in Deuteronomy 28-31. The reason being is that I am introducing this concept of Covenant theology to readers. Eventually in future blogs I may bring in these other covenants.
4. The New Covenant is revealed in Jeremiah 31-33 and Ezekiel 36:22-38 and other Old Testament passages with reference to God's promise to restore the nation of Israel. Four main promises are given in this covenant: a). Indwelling Holy Spirit b). Transformed heart c). Law of God written in the heart d). Personal Relationship with God and He with the believer. When we come to the New Testament we see Jesus asserting Himself to be the Mediator of the New Covenant. Bible scholars debate as to whether there is a separate new Covenant for the church from the Old Testament version for Israel or whether the one mentioned by Jesus is a spiritual inauguration of the one spoken of the in the Old Testament (i.e Two New Covenants or One New Covenant). Over the past fifty years, conservative biblical scholarship has more and more concluded that the New Covenant promises experienced in the New Testament church are an inauguration of the promises to be physically manifested in the future restoration of National Israel at Christ's return.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
How one verse puts together the entire Bible
Matthew 1:17 "So all the generations from Abraham to David are
fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen
generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen
generations. "
Yesterday we began exploring the need for God's people to know how to fit together the scripture's pieces. Today I want us to consider the Bible's own testimony as to why Christians should know how it's message is framed by the ages of history, centered around God's Covenants and purposed in revealing God's glory in Jesus Christ.
Where to begin seeing the Bible put together - Matthew's Gospel
The text above is in the first chapter, of the first book of our New Testaments. Matthew was one of Jesus' disciples and the writer of the first Gospel. He under inspiration of the Holy Spirit opens the New Testament with a jog through roughly 2000 years of history. 42 generations of humanity, stretching from the sun-baked deserts of Canaanland in Abraham's day to the narrow streets of first century Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Why does Matthew do this? To demonstrate Jesus Christ's legal right to the throne of David and prophetic identity as the seed of Abraham's promise. Matthew 1:17 fits together the Old Testament's big pieces in the following ways:
1. Matthew frames the Bible's message by noting God's plan of the ages All of redemptive history from Abraham to Jesus' day is framed by the generations of Israel that traversed their way through the ages. 42 generations, divided into three sets of 14 generations. The Old Testament age or era is viewed by Matthew in three "seasons" or "subdivisions of time": Abraham to David (over 1,100 years of time); David to the Babylonian captivity (roughly over 400 years of time) and then the Babylonian captivity up to Jesus' day (roughly 400 years of time).
2. Matthew centers the Bible's message around three chief historic covenants in the Old Testament All of redemptive history centers upon the Covenants of God. Again in just looking at Matthew 1:17, we note that Matthew's opening genealogy centers upon three men. Abraham is the father of the Jewish nation, and God's covenant with him is the chief covenant of the Bible from whence all others mark their point of reference. Genesis 12, 15, 17 and 22 and over 100 other biblical references speak of Abraham. God's promise of a redeemer, a nation, the land of Israel and the bloodline leading to the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ leads to and finds their point of departure from God's Covenant with Abraham.
David is the second man in Matthew's example of putting together scripture's pieces. David of course was the greatest king of Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:13-16 God makes a covenant with David, promising him a descendant upon His throne. This promise is connected with the Covenant of Abraham, since the blessing of Abraham was not only going to be centered generally in the nation of Israel, but moreso specifically in a Person - a King. The Covenants function like a string of pearls around the neck of scripture, with the central jewel being Christ Himself. Over 40 references to God's covenant with David are found from 2 Samuel to the end of the Old Testament.
Then of course Matthew ends this verse with reference to "the Messiah". The Greek text says "Christ", from which the translation in the NASB renders it as "the Messiah". Any Jewish reader would had been rocked at that claim - since the Messiah had been anticipated by the Jews for over 400 years from the close of Malachi. As we come later on into the New Testament, we discover that Jesus Christ was to be the mediator of the New Covenant, and that the inauguration of that Covenant would usher in the third major age of scripture - the Age of Grace or Church Age.
As Matthew puts together the Bible's pieces, he shows firstly that the Bible's message is framed by the ages. Then he features Abraham and David, men who were the objects of two of the three greatest covenants of God in the Old Testament. But now what is the focus, the purpose behind the ages and covenants of the Bible? In the Old Testament, there was one other main Covenant which not only reiterates what God had promised to Abraham, but takes the promises of Abraham and predictions of the Davidic Covenant and gives them a target of fulfillment - Blessing - i.e the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31-33.
3. Matthew shows the purpose of both the ages and covenants of the Bible - Jesus Christ How was God going to bless all families of the earth (as he stated to Abraham)? Furthermore, how was He going to establish a permanent King on the throne of Jerusalem? Lastly, how was God going to usher in the New Covenant promises of a transformed heart, forgiveness of sins and the internally written law of God on the heart of the believer? All of these big questions find their answer in the remainder of Matthew's Gospel and the New Testament. That answer of course is in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Already in Christ's first coming we see the Abrahamic, David and New Covenant promises being inaugurated by Christ following his death, burial, resurrection and ascension following his first coming. However, those same three covenants have not yet been fulfilled in their entirety, and will not be finally and ultimately fulfilled until Christ's second coming.
How the Bible's big pieces unveil the God-man Jesus Christ
Touching His humanity - Jesus Christ fulfills the bloodline of Abraham, is the descendant of David's throne and the Mediator of the New Covenant. As God in human flesh, he has inaugurated His reign as the Davidic king over His church, and will return to manifest the physical earthly aspect of that reign for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20) Second, Christ will return to restore Israel, the original recipients of Abraham's promise. (Romans 11:25-26) Then finally, as mediator of the New Covenant, Christ functions as the Christian's prophet, priest and King, spiritually pouring out the New Covenant blessings on the church, with the plan of taking the current set-aside nation of Israel and pouring out those same blessings more fully on a repentant Israel at His second coming. (Zech 12:10; 2 Corinthians 5)
As you can see, one verse, Matthew 1:17 easily shows why knowing how the Bible fits together can aid the Christian in knowing the scope and significance of the Bible in its aim to reveal God's glory in Jesus Christ.
Yesterday we began exploring the need for God's people to know how to fit together the scripture's pieces. Today I want us to consider the Bible's own testimony as to why Christians should know how it's message is framed by the ages of history, centered around God's Covenants and purposed in revealing God's glory in Jesus Christ.
Where to begin seeing the Bible put together - Matthew's Gospel
The text above is in the first chapter, of the first book of our New Testaments. Matthew was one of Jesus' disciples and the writer of the first Gospel. He under inspiration of the Holy Spirit opens the New Testament with a jog through roughly 2000 years of history. 42 generations of humanity, stretching from the sun-baked deserts of Canaanland in Abraham's day to the narrow streets of first century Nazareth, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
Why does Matthew do this? To demonstrate Jesus Christ's legal right to the throne of David and prophetic identity as the seed of Abraham's promise. Matthew 1:17 fits together the Old Testament's big pieces in the following ways:
1. Matthew frames the Bible's message by noting God's plan of the ages All of redemptive history from Abraham to Jesus' day is framed by the generations of Israel that traversed their way through the ages. 42 generations, divided into three sets of 14 generations. The Old Testament age or era is viewed by Matthew in three "seasons" or "subdivisions of time": Abraham to David (over 1,100 years of time); David to the Babylonian captivity (roughly over 400 years of time) and then the Babylonian captivity up to Jesus' day (roughly 400 years of time).
2. Matthew centers the Bible's message around three chief historic covenants in the Old Testament All of redemptive history centers upon the Covenants of God. Again in just looking at Matthew 1:17, we note that Matthew's opening genealogy centers upon three men. Abraham is the father of the Jewish nation, and God's covenant with him is the chief covenant of the Bible from whence all others mark their point of reference. Genesis 12, 15, 17 and 22 and over 100 other biblical references speak of Abraham. God's promise of a redeemer, a nation, the land of Israel and the bloodline leading to the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ leads to and finds their point of departure from God's Covenant with Abraham.
David is the second man in Matthew's example of putting together scripture's pieces. David of course was the greatest king of Israel. In 2 Samuel 7:13-16 God makes a covenant with David, promising him a descendant upon His throne. This promise is connected with the Covenant of Abraham, since the blessing of Abraham was not only going to be centered generally in the nation of Israel, but moreso specifically in a Person - a King. The Covenants function like a string of pearls around the neck of scripture, with the central jewel being Christ Himself. Over 40 references to God's covenant with David are found from 2 Samuel to the end of the Old Testament.
Then of course Matthew ends this verse with reference to "the Messiah". The Greek text says "Christ", from which the translation in the NASB renders it as "the Messiah". Any Jewish reader would had been rocked at that claim - since the Messiah had been anticipated by the Jews for over 400 years from the close of Malachi. As we come later on into the New Testament, we discover that Jesus Christ was to be the mediator of the New Covenant, and that the inauguration of that Covenant would usher in the third major age of scripture - the Age of Grace or Church Age.
As Matthew puts together the Bible's pieces, he shows firstly that the Bible's message is framed by the ages. Then he features Abraham and David, men who were the objects of two of the three greatest covenants of God in the Old Testament. But now what is the focus, the purpose behind the ages and covenants of the Bible? In the Old Testament, there was one other main Covenant which not only reiterates what God had promised to Abraham, but takes the promises of Abraham and predictions of the Davidic Covenant and gives them a target of fulfillment - Blessing - i.e the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31-33.
3. Matthew shows the purpose of both the ages and covenants of the Bible - Jesus Christ How was God going to bless all families of the earth (as he stated to Abraham)? Furthermore, how was He going to establish a permanent King on the throne of Jerusalem? Lastly, how was God going to usher in the New Covenant promises of a transformed heart, forgiveness of sins and the internally written law of God on the heart of the believer? All of these big questions find their answer in the remainder of Matthew's Gospel and the New Testament. That answer of course is in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Already in Christ's first coming we see the Abrahamic, David and New Covenant promises being inaugurated by Christ following his death, burial, resurrection and ascension following his first coming. However, those same three covenants have not yet been fulfilled in their entirety, and will not be finally and ultimately fulfilled until Christ's second coming.
How the Bible's big pieces unveil the God-man Jesus Christ
Touching His humanity - Jesus Christ fulfills the bloodline of Abraham, is the descendant of David's throne and the Mediator of the New Covenant. As God in human flesh, he has inaugurated His reign as the Davidic king over His church, and will return to manifest the physical earthly aspect of that reign for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20) Second, Christ will return to restore Israel, the original recipients of Abraham's promise. (Romans 11:25-26) Then finally, as mediator of the New Covenant, Christ functions as the Christian's prophet, priest and King, spiritually pouring out the New Covenant blessings on the church, with the plan of taking the current set-aside nation of Israel and pouring out those same blessings more fully on a repentant Israel at His second coming. (Zech 12:10; 2 Corinthians 5)
As you can see, one verse, Matthew 1:17 easily shows why knowing how the Bible fits together can aid the Christian in knowing the scope and significance of the Bible in its aim to reveal God's glory in Jesus Christ.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Why Christians need equipped to fit together the Bible's pieces
Acts 20:27 “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the
whole purpose of God.
Putting together the Bible's Big Pieces
As a child and a teenager growing up, I attended several churches. In the course of time before going off to college, I was unaware of the Bible's unifying theme and structure. Undoubtedly I'm sure it was mostly my fault, since as a typical kid I didn't pay heed to the preacher like I should have - to my shame. However, I discovered in my adult years that much preaching today has resorted to topics and relevance as the benchmarks for communciation of the scriptures. Should not the preaching of God's word result in the practical application of it - certainly! However equipping God's people with the relevant and practical tools they need to live for Him during the week should never come at the expense of the unity and purpose of the text.
I feel many times the church in America has been guilty of giving its people an understanding of the Bible likened unto the giving of puzzle pieces. We know that there has got to be some over arching themes or purpose, and yet in so many pulpits, our people are given one piece at a time, coming from different parts. In fact many preachers never get around to giving their people the whole puzzle, or the whole "picture on the box" so to speak.
What should be the overarching purpose of preaching and teaching
Churches should be giving their people the opportunity to have exposure to the "whole of the Bible" as well as its parts. Putting together the Bible's pieces is the chief goal of and preaching and teaching ministry. Why? Because it is by the scriptures that the Holy Spirit points the way to Jesus Christ - the point of the Bible's pieces and whole message. (Luke 24:44) As a preacher and teacher of God's Word, I need to be able to point to Him whether unfolding a verse, chapter or Bible book or take a message to summarize the whole Bible. Paul said it plainly in 2 Timothy 4:2 "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction." When we consistently do this, the Holy Spirit pledges to take His word and illluminate the listener as to the relevancy and application of the text for their lives. (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 1 John 2:20,27)
What benefits are there for the listener who is equipped to put together the Bible's pieces?
Acts 20:27, quoted at the beginning of today's blog, is part of the Apostle Paul's final address to the church at Ephesus. He exhorts them to be careful, be on their guard and to be faithful to Christ and His word as a church, and particularly church leaders. In Acts 20:27 he reminds the Elders of that flock that He never shrank back from giving them the whole counsel of God. He made it his point to present Christ in both the whole of scripture and its parts. So what happens when a congregation begins to understand how the Bible fits together? How does it benefit Christians to know how to fit together the Bible's pieces? Please read Acts 20:28-38 and consider the following thoughts below. I would also urge my readers to pray for their pastor in whatever church they are members, since that man of God is charged with the responsibility to watch over the souls of Christ's people. (1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17)
Benefits to knowing how to fit together the Bible's pieces to see its overall message
1. More discerning Christianity. Acts 20:28-31
Paul warned the Ephesians to be on their guard (Acts 20:28) and on their alert (20:31). The only way they could to that was having had exposure to the Bible's overall message. Paul labored to do that for nearly three years at Ephesus. Despite persistent challenges that would lead to conflict in that church, Ephesus became the most influential and powerful church in the New Testament, right along side the first church ever - the church at Jerusalem.
2. More edifying Christianity. Acts 20:32
To edify means "to build up". Too often our churches are marked by discouragement, back biting and tearing down of people. Whenever we expose our people to a consistent diet of verse by verse, or chapter by chapter or book by book exposition of the Bible - God begins to show the people the grandeur and purpose of His salvation and His glory. Craving the pure milk of the word is the only antidote to complaining, bickering and "putting down" of people. (1 Peter 2:1-2) Jesus stated that Christians love for one another was to be the chief witness to the world of the validity of their faith commitment to Him. (John 13:35)
3. More unselfish Christianity. Acts 20:33-35
Whenever God's people are able to see the whole message of the Bible, as well as its parts, and when that emphasis makes it journey from the head to the heart, selflessness will be a supernatural by-product. Paul's preaching of the whole counsel of God in Acts 20:27 was not just filling these people with head knowledge. He stated that through the exposition of the scriptures He was able to reinforce the necessities of hard work, giving to the work of God and caring for one another. A selfless Christianity can only be cultivated in the presence of consistent exposure and application of the scriptures.
4. More passionate Christianity. Acts 20:36-38
As Paul was getting ready to leave these Elders, the Bible says they wept, embrace him, grieving over the fact that they would not see his face. They accompanied him to his ship. This church was far from a "classroom church" or a "group of egg heads". God's Word, presented in both its entirety and pieces, is how the Spirit of God implants the desires of God into the hearts of His people. We have got remember that the scriptures are the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Putting together the Bible's Big Pieces
As a child and a teenager growing up, I attended several churches. In the course of time before going off to college, I was unaware of the Bible's unifying theme and structure. Undoubtedly I'm sure it was mostly my fault, since as a typical kid I didn't pay heed to the preacher like I should have - to my shame. However, I discovered in my adult years that much preaching today has resorted to topics and relevance as the benchmarks for communciation of the scriptures. Should not the preaching of God's word result in the practical application of it - certainly! However equipping God's people with the relevant and practical tools they need to live for Him during the week should never come at the expense of the unity and purpose of the text.
I feel many times the church in America has been guilty of giving its people an understanding of the Bible likened unto the giving of puzzle pieces. We know that there has got to be some over arching themes or purpose, and yet in so many pulpits, our people are given one piece at a time, coming from different parts. In fact many preachers never get around to giving their people the whole puzzle, or the whole "picture on the box" so to speak.
What should be the overarching purpose of preaching and teaching
Churches should be giving their people the opportunity to have exposure to the "whole of the Bible" as well as its parts. Putting together the Bible's pieces is the chief goal of and preaching and teaching ministry. Why? Because it is by the scriptures that the Holy Spirit points the way to Jesus Christ - the point of the Bible's pieces and whole message. (Luke 24:44) As a preacher and teacher of God's Word, I need to be able to point to Him whether unfolding a verse, chapter or Bible book or take a message to summarize the whole Bible. Paul said it plainly in 2 Timothy 4:2 "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction." When we consistently do this, the Holy Spirit pledges to take His word and illluminate the listener as to the relevancy and application of the text for their lives. (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 1 John 2:20,27)
What benefits are there for the listener who is equipped to put together the Bible's pieces?
Acts 20:27, quoted at the beginning of today's blog, is part of the Apostle Paul's final address to the church at Ephesus. He exhorts them to be careful, be on their guard and to be faithful to Christ and His word as a church, and particularly church leaders. In Acts 20:27 he reminds the Elders of that flock that He never shrank back from giving them the whole counsel of God. He made it his point to present Christ in both the whole of scripture and its parts. So what happens when a congregation begins to understand how the Bible fits together? How does it benefit Christians to know how to fit together the Bible's pieces? Please read Acts 20:28-38 and consider the following thoughts below. I would also urge my readers to pray for their pastor in whatever church they are members, since that man of God is charged with the responsibility to watch over the souls of Christ's people. (1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:17)
Benefits to knowing how to fit together the Bible's pieces to see its overall message
1. More discerning Christianity. Acts 20:28-31
Paul warned the Ephesians to be on their guard (Acts 20:28) and on their alert (20:31). The only way they could to that was having had exposure to the Bible's overall message. Paul labored to do that for nearly three years at Ephesus. Despite persistent challenges that would lead to conflict in that church, Ephesus became the most influential and powerful church in the New Testament, right along side the first church ever - the church at Jerusalem.
2. More edifying Christianity. Acts 20:32
To edify means "to build up". Too often our churches are marked by discouragement, back biting and tearing down of people. Whenever we expose our people to a consistent diet of verse by verse, or chapter by chapter or book by book exposition of the Bible - God begins to show the people the grandeur and purpose of His salvation and His glory. Craving the pure milk of the word is the only antidote to complaining, bickering and "putting down" of people. (1 Peter 2:1-2) Jesus stated that Christians love for one another was to be the chief witness to the world of the validity of their faith commitment to Him. (John 13:35)
3. More unselfish Christianity. Acts 20:33-35
Whenever God's people are able to see the whole message of the Bible, as well as its parts, and when that emphasis makes it journey from the head to the heart, selflessness will be a supernatural by-product. Paul's preaching of the whole counsel of God in Acts 20:27 was not just filling these people with head knowledge. He stated that through the exposition of the scriptures He was able to reinforce the necessities of hard work, giving to the work of God and caring for one another. A selfless Christianity can only be cultivated in the presence of consistent exposure and application of the scriptures.
4. More passionate Christianity. Acts 20:36-38
As Paul was getting ready to leave these Elders, the Bible says they wept, embrace him, grieving over the fact that they would not see his face. They accompanied him to his ship. This church was far from a "classroom church" or a "group of egg heads". God's Word, presented in both its entirety and pieces, is how the Spirit of God implants the desires of God into the hearts of His people. We have got remember that the scriptures are the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Sunday, September 9, 2012
The Triune Shepherd of Old and New Testament
Isaiah 63:11 "Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them."
Yesterday we looked at how the God of glory led His people throughout the Old Testament. We focused particularly upon His manifestation as a pillar of cloud and fire, first glimpsed by Abraham through the eye of prophecy, experienced by his descendants coming out of Egypt and repeated through the prophetic memory of men like Nehemiah and Isaiah. One of the descriptions of God's leadership of His people is that of a Shepherd. Today I want us to explore this idea of the Lord as the Shepherd of Old and New Testament Revelation.
Below I'm going to list a series of texts which flow from His days of leading them as a pillar of cloud and fire as the Shepherd. As the Shepherd, we will discover how the Old Testament develops this incredible thought as foundational for understanding Jesus Christ the Shepherd of His flock - the Church, as well as the Triune God working His way through Old and New Testament revelation.
1. Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul;He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
2. Psalm 80:1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
3. Isaiah 40:11-12 "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance
and the hills in a pair of scales?"
4. Isaiah 63:11 "Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them."
5. John 10:11-15 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12“He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13“He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
6. John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
7. 1 Peter 2:25 "For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. "
8. 1 Peter 5:4 "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
One Shepherding Divine nature expressed and shared by Three Divine persons
Now when you look at this string of texts, you begin to understand the connection between the Shepherd of the Old Testament and the Shepherd of the New. What we are seeing is the Father and Son sharing in the same shepherding Divine nature. Deity unrevealed is God the Father, whereas Deity revealed to us in history is God the Son and Deity revealed in us is the Holy Spirit. Let the reader be reminded that this is not three Deities, but One undivided Deity of God shared equally by Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God the Father, unseen, led His people out of Egypt.
God the Father led his people out of Egypt like a Father does a son (Deuteronomy 32:6). Whenever we see the pillar of cloud and fire, what we are seeing is an Old Testament manifestation of invisible Deity. That appearance of Deity is an Old Testament appearance of God the Son. We also see this same Eternal Deity manifested amidst the people in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament church, identified as the Third Person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit.
God the Son came as the Good Shepherd
God the Son make visible invisible Deity. (John 14:9) In history, among His people, the Shepherd made visible in history shares in the same Divine nature as the Father in Heaven, who remained invisible. This same Son, spoken of in the Old Testament (Proverbs 30:4-5) as being Deity revealed in various manifestations throughout Old Testament history would be Deity revealed in human flesh in the New Testament Gospels. (Hebrews 1:1-3)
God The Holy Spirit was sent to guide the church
This Shepherd, as Deity revealed in human flesh, ascended into heaven after His resurrection to be seated in co-equal authority with the Father. The Holy Spirit, sent to the church in Acts 2, communicates in every Christian the presence and power of the Good Shepherd in Heaven. Through the sacred text of scripture Jesus Christ excercises His reign over His flock. By the Holy Spirit, who shares in one, undivided Divine nature with the Father and Son, we as Christians have the glory of God revealed in us. (John 14:17,23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
For Christians, God the Good Shepherd is the Father above us, the Son among and for us and the Spirit in and through us
The Holy Spirit in us is the One who authored the Old and New Testaments. I appeal to the scriptures to hear His voice. As the Old Testament reveals, it is God the Father, Deity unseen, who gave his people His Good Spirit to be Deity revealed among them. (Psalm 143:10) The New Testament tells us that the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in the name of the Son, is Divine Deity revealed in Christians.
Thus God the Shepherd is above us as our Heavenly Father, is with us and for us as our Mediator in Heaven - the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son. (Luke 11:13; 1 John 2:1-2) Then this same undivided Divine God is Shepherding and leading every Christian internally as the indwelling Person of Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
Yesterday we looked at how the God of glory led His people throughout the Old Testament. We focused particularly upon His manifestation as a pillar of cloud and fire, first glimpsed by Abraham through the eye of prophecy, experienced by his descendants coming out of Egypt and repeated through the prophetic memory of men like Nehemiah and Isaiah. One of the descriptions of God's leadership of His people is that of a Shepherd. Today I want us to explore this idea of the Lord as the Shepherd of Old and New Testament Revelation.
Below I'm going to list a series of texts which flow from His days of leading them as a pillar of cloud and fire as the Shepherd. As the Shepherd, we will discover how the Old Testament develops this incredible thought as foundational for understanding Jesus Christ the Shepherd of His flock - the Church, as well as the Triune God working His way through Old and New Testament revelation.
1. Psalm 23 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul;He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
2. Psalm 80:1 Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
3. Isaiah 40:11-12 "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, And marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance
and the hills in a pair of scales?"
4. Isaiah 63:11 "Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses. Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them."
5. John 10:11-15 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12“He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13“He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
6. John 16:13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
7. 1 Peter 2:25 "For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. "
8. 1 Peter 5:4 "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
One Shepherding Divine nature expressed and shared by Three Divine persons
Now when you look at this string of texts, you begin to understand the connection between the Shepherd of the Old Testament and the Shepherd of the New. What we are seeing is the Father and Son sharing in the same shepherding Divine nature. Deity unrevealed is God the Father, whereas Deity revealed to us in history is God the Son and Deity revealed in us is the Holy Spirit. Let the reader be reminded that this is not three Deities, but One undivided Deity of God shared equally by Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God the Father, unseen, led His people out of Egypt.
God the Father led his people out of Egypt like a Father does a son (Deuteronomy 32:6). Whenever we see the pillar of cloud and fire, what we are seeing is an Old Testament manifestation of invisible Deity. That appearance of Deity is an Old Testament appearance of God the Son. We also see this same Eternal Deity manifested amidst the people in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament church, identified as the Third Person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit.
God the Son came as the Good Shepherd
God the Son make visible invisible Deity. (John 14:9) In history, among His people, the Shepherd made visible in history shares in the same Divine nature as the Father in Heaven, who remained invisible. This same Son, spoken of in the Old Testament (Proverbs 30:4-5) as being Deity revealed in various manifestations throughout Old Testament history would be Deity revealed in human flesh in the New Testament Gospels. (Hebrews 1:1-3)
God The Holy Spirit was sent to guide the church
This Shepherd, as Deity revealed in human flesh, ascended into heaven after His resurrection to be seated in co-equal authority with the Father. The Holy Spirit, sent to the church in Acts 2, communicates in every Christian the presence and power of the Good Shepherd in Heaven. Through the sacred text of scripture Jesus Christ excercises His reign over His flock. By the Holy Spirit, who shares in one, undivided Divine nature with the Father and Son, we as Christians have the glory of God revealed in us. (John 14:17,23; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
For Christians, God the Good Shepherd is the Father above us, the Son among and for us and the Spirit in and through us
The Holy Spirit in us is the One who authored the Old and New Testaments. I appeal to the scriptures to hear His voice. As the Old Testament reveals, it is God the Father, Deity unseen, who gave his people His Good Spirit to be Deity revealed among them. (Psalm 143:10) The New Testament tells us that the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father in the name of the Son, is Divine Deity revealed in Christians.
Thus God the Shepherd is above us as our Heavenly Father, is with us and for us as our Mediator in Heaven - the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son. (Luke 11:13; 1 John 2:1-2) Then this same undivided Divine God is Shepherding and leading every Christian internally as the indwelling Person of Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
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