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"When the commandment came"
(Being a series of articles based upon the testimony of readers as
to the particular passage of Scripture that was used to enlighten
them as to the unique character of the Dispensation of the Mystery).
#1.
Matthew 13: and deliverance from tradition.
pp. 201 - 204
In The Berean Expositor for April, 1933, the following note appeared:--
"THE EDITOR TO HIS FRIENDS.
In conversation with several of our readers, we have been interested to learn of the
various passages of Scripture that have been used to enlighten and bring about conviction
as to the truth of the Dispensation of the Mystery. We believe it would form the basis of
a useful series of articles, if we knew what `commandment came' (Rom. 7: 9) to our
readers in this connection.
May we ask all who can, to let us have a note stating simply what passage of Scripture
was thus used. We need hardly say that all communications on the subject will be treated
in confidence, and in any subsequent use of the information no clue will be given as to
the identity of the writer.
We believe that personal testimony is often of weight where studied argument fails,
and we hope that the series contemplated may assist to fill out our witness."
A number of readers have replied, answering our question and giving information
concerning the particular passage that was used of God to open their eyes to the truth of
the mystery.
While using the information given, we shall respect the anonymity of each writer, and
trust that nothing we say in comment will do other than magnify the grace of God, lead
some hesitating reader to a reconsideration of the testimony of the Lord's prisoner, and so
be instrumental in leading the redeemed of the Lord on to the heights of grace as revealed
in this present dispensation.
We select for our opening article the case of one who by the exposition given of
Matt. 13: had prejudice removed, found tradition untrustworthy, was made willing to
"search and see", and so was led to full acceptance of the truth.
Matt. 13: contains not one single word that refers to the church of this present
dispensation. It deals with the new phase of kingdom purposes that necessarily followed
the non-repentance of Israel (Matt. 11: 20-24) and the rejection of the Lord in His three
great offices (Matt. 12: 6, 41, 42). Matt. 13: gives us "The mysteries of the kingdom of
heaven", and it is a distortion of truth to attempt to make that clearly defined kingdom
cover either the real or the professing church. Tradition has great hold upon Matt. 13:
Not only does it attempt to fit into it the history of Christendom during the past
1,900 years, but it degrades the gospel of the grace of God by attempting to illustrate its