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We have already seen that all Scripture is inspired, but that all
Scripture does not speak (1) to the same people, (2) at the same time, and
(3) with the same message. All Scripture is For us, but all Scripture is not
About us. To discover that part of Scripture which is For us, About us, and
To us we must `rightly divide the Word of truth'. The people addressed in
the Bible are divided into three companies, `The Jews, the Gentiles, and the
Church of God' (1 Cor. 10:32). Whenever you open your Bible therefore, seek
at once to discover which of these three classes is addressed.
A -- How can I do this? It seems that I should have to conduct a very
careful inquiry involving much time and ability. Cannot I take the Bible at
its face value to mean just what it says?
B -- If only you would, your difficulties would vanish.
I would say to
you, `Read the envelope before you read the letter'.
A -- Explain your meaning.
B -- Well, look at the envelope of Isaiah's prophecy (chapter 1, verse
1) and tell me whether it is addressed to Jew, Gentile or Church.
A -- (Turns to the passage) It says that it is concerning `Judah and
Jerusalem'.
B -- Well, that answers the question for you there easily enough.
Accept it as `meaning just what it says'. Now look at the `envelope' of
James's epistle.
A -- (Turning to the epistle) It is addressed to `The twelve tribes
which are scattered abroad'.
B -- Again you have your answer, and you will find that somewhere in
every book of the Bible, there will be these identifying marks, enabling you
to `rightly divide' the Word as belonging either to Jew, Gentile or Church of
God.
A -- Is there any other important way in which the Word should be
`rightly divided'?
B -- Yes.
Time periods enter in very largely.
For example, Matthew
10:5,6 says:
`Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the
Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel'.
If this passage is not to be divided at all, as some would affirm,
there never should have been a single Gentile saved, or even evangelized.
Further, if we do not rightly divide the Word, we shall have Christ
contradicting Himself, saying in chapter 10 `Go not', and in 28 `Go Ye'.
Again, we must keep distinct the various callings that are indicated in
the Word. The Kingdom must not be confounded with the Church. The Kingdom
is yet to come, for the prayer is `Thy Kingdom come', and it relates to the
earth as under the power and pattern of heaven, `Thy will be done on earth as
it is in heaven'. The Church is an elect company called out from the world