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No.1 of this series shows that John 16: 12-14 indicates the epistles, and
No.2 proves that both gospels and epistles are equally inspired.
No.3 finds "A" bewildered by the many apparent differences which he has discovered by
reading the gospels and the epistles. The solution is found in "rightly dividing"
the Word of truth.
No.4 gives some examples of right division, showing that Scripture is addressed to Jew,
Gentile or Church. Among other examples the epistles of Paul are instanced as
needing to be rightly divided.
A.--I should like to know a little more fully what you meant by saying that while Paul's
epistles as a whole are distinct from the rest of Scripture, yet they themselves need rightly
dividing.
B.--I am glad this important matter has arrested your attention and will do all I can to
make the position clear.
We must look at the subject first to see that Paul's ministry is something quite distinct
from that of any other apostle, and then, having that ministry before us, realize that it is
divided into two clear sections. This is not merely interesting--it is vital to the full
understanding of God's purpose and our place therein.
First of all, Paul was not one of the twelve.
A.--How do you prove that?
B.--In Matt. 10: 2-4 the names of the twelve are given, and Paul is not among the
number.
A.--No, but I have been given to understand that when Judas fell and left the number,
Paul was Divinely chosen to take his place, the appointment of Matthias (Acts 1:) being a
hasty attempt on the part of the apostles and done erroneously.
B.--There are a good many of the actions of the apostles which certain teachers to-day
call "apostolic mistakes", but which are not so called in the Scriptures. Look at the state
of affairs at the time of the appointing of Matthias.
1. The risen Christ had spent a large portion of 40 days instructing the Apostles
(Acts 1: 3).
2. Not only did the Lord open the Scriptures, but He also opened the Apostles'
understanding (Luke 24: 45). This settles for ever the question of whether the
Apostles "understood" His meaning.
3. The Lord declared that the things written in the books of Moses, the Prophets, and the
Psalms concerning Himself must be fulfilled.
4. Peter whose understanding had been opened, and who had been taught the prophetic
meaning of the Messianic Psalms, stood up after 40 days' instruction and said, "Men
and brethren, THIS SCRIPTURE MUST NEEDS BE FULFILLED, which the Holy