Again Rightly Dividing

Dear Mr. Froese,I have received your magazine for many years, but I’m totally in agreement with the letter writer in the May 2016 issue concerning “Rightly Dividing.” I feel strongly that your answer needs another response. There are clearly different dispensations in the Bible, when God dispensed different information for different people groups. The two main dispensations are Prophecy for Israel and Mystery for the Body of Christ.The revelation of the mystery was given to Paul alone for the Body of Christ in this dispensation. (KJV Romans 16:25, “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.”) There are eleven other references to “the mystery” in Paul’s writings.John the Baptist, Jesus and the twelve preached the gospel of the kingdom to none but Jew only (repent and be baptized; the kingdom of heaven is at hand). Matthew quotes the “Gospel of the Kingdom” three times, and Mark twice.Paul was saved by grace alone and was given a new dispensation and a new gospel (the gospel of the grace of God) for both Jew and Gentile alike. Peter, John and James wrote to the little flock of Jewish believers, who were saved under the kingdom program/gospel and who were waiting for the seven year time of Jacob’s trouble, followed by the return of Christ and the kingdom. They wrote to “ye men of Israel,” “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad,” and “to the strangers scattered...” Their epistles are instructions that the remnant will need during the tribulation.The gospel of the kingdom required the Jews to repent and be baptized (a ritual cleansing to prepare them for priesthood in the millennium kingdom).The gospel of the grace of God is salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ’s finished work on the cross. No works of any kind are required, including water baptism.Those are clearly two different gospels, which must be “Rightly Divided.”-M. Vickerman, FL


Arno's Answer:


There is only one gospel; it begins with Genesis 1:1 and ends with Revelation 22:21. Of course, there are distinct issues for certain groups, but that fact does not invalidate anything for the Church of Jesus Christ. We are built upon the foundation “of the apostles and prophets” (note the plural). Moses addressed the people which the Lord had brought out of the land of Egypt, “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee…” (Deuteronomy 5:16). This was strictly addressed to Israel, but fully valid for the Church. Paul writes to the Gentiles, “Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise” (Ephesians 6:2).

When Paul says “my gospel,” it’s because he was so drawn to the image of the Beloved that he could also say “Follow me,” instead of “Follow Christ.” When he writes “my gospel…kept secret since the world began,” it does not mean to him alone: “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35). The mystery of the gospel was revealed to the Gentiles by Peter.

While I am in full agreement with your emphasis on distinguishing to whom is spoken what, I must insist that any attempt to dissect the Word of God violates 2 Timothy 3:16, and can lead to a “different gospel.”

Midnight Call - 07/2016

Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.

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