Rightly Dividing God's Word Gary Sones John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. • Some people say that it does not matter what a person believes. The only quality that matters is sincerity. However, the question must be asked: can one be sincerely wrong? • On one occasion, a small boy from Mexico became very excited when he found out that the Americans had gone to the moon. Running down the street and bursting into the house of his grandfather he shouted, "Abuelito! Abuelito! The Americans have gone to the moon." The grandfather was from a small ranch, so he did not believe that it could happen. The boy, really trying to convince his grandfather said, "Oh yes they did Abuelo, and I will tell you something else. They are going to go to the sun too." The grandfather, whose patience was wearing thin answered; "Hijito, they would burn if they went to the sun." However, the little boy would not be deterred; "Abuelo, you just do not understand. The Americans are very smart. They will go to the sun at night time Abuelo." Although the boy was very sincere, he was very mistaken. • The quality of sincerity does not guarantee the right life or practice. When we are talking about salvation, we must be right! • Does doctrine really matter? If the bible says no, then the answer is no, but if the bible says yes, then yes, doctrine is important. 2 Tim 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and His kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 1 Tim 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only deceiving your own selves. Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: • In light of these scriptures, we must be very careful who we believe and what we believe. God's Word has the right answers. 1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. • We should do a careful study of the gospel that the apostles preached. • According to the next few scriptures, obedience to the gospel is very important. 1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 2 Thess 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord. Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In 11 a ming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel he hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Cor 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Thess 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. The Gospel We will now examine the gospel according to His Word in the Gospels, the Book of Acts, and the Epistles. Jesus taught the same message to all men in the Gospels. He taught that there was and is only one way. He taught this to his disciples, the multitudes, the religious leaders, the government officials, and individuals. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. In the beginning, the Word was God and became flesh. Jesus Christ is the living Word of God. John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God. If we believe in him, Jesus gives us power to become the sons of God by a supernatural birth. He spoke further about this new birth one night to a ruler of the Jews. John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. The Lord told Nicodemus anyone who wanted to see or enter into the Kingdom of God must be born again of the water and the Spirit. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Here we discover that if we believe on Him (according to the Word), we will receive the Spirit. We find that scriptural belief is more than just a change in the way we think. It also results in a scriptural experience. John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Many people in our day are like those of Jesus' day. They believe on Him, but they will not confess Him for fear of what others will do or say. John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. In response to their fearfulness, Jesus warns that his Word will judge us, so we must be careful not to reject it. Rather, we should obey it no matter what others may say or do! John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. In Jesus' prayer for His disciples, just before His crucifixion, He said God's Word is truth. He also prayed for us; and all of those who would believe on Him through the Apostles' word. To find out what the Apostles word was to be, let us read what Jesus told them to proclaim. The setting of the following great commission is just before the Lord's ascension into heaven. Luke 24:45-49 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Did the apostles preach the message that Jesus commanded them to proclaim? How was the promise of the Father fulfilled? Let's go to Jerusalem! In the book of Acts, the Apostles preached the same message to all men. • To the Jews in Jerusalem • To the religious leaders • To the Samaritans • To the Gentiles There was and is only one message for ALL men! Acts 1:3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. As we enter the Book of Acts, we discover almost immediately that the promise of the Father is the baptism of the _______ _______. Acts 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,... 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and. Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. The Apostles and many others (about 120) were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other. Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?... (17 nations) 11 ..., we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon ALL FLESH... The amazed on lookers from many who he speaking with tongues asked, "What meaneth this?" Then Peter explained the promised coming of the Spirit and went on to preach Christ and the original apostolic plan of salvation. Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. When the people who heard Peter's words believed, they were sorry for their sins and asked Peter and the other Apostles (including Matthew) what they should do. Peter replied by preaching the message that Jesus commanded to be preached in Luke 24. Let us review Jesus' commandment... Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem... 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Three Things Must Be Preached: 1. Repentance 2. Remission of sins in his name 3. Receive the power of the Holy Spirit Let's See If Peter Obeyed Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Let's Compare Jesus' Command With Peter's Message: 1. Repentance 1. Repent 2. Remission of sins in His name 2. Baptism for remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ 3. Receive the Holy Spirit 3. Receive the Holy Ghost NOTICE: Acts 2:38 is the fulfillment of the two "new birth"requirements Jesus mentioned in John 3:5 that were necessary to enter the kingdom of God! Water birth = baptism in the name of Jesus Christ! Spirit birth = infilling of the Holy Ghost! Need more examples? (I was hoping that you would ask...) Let's look at 3 more examples of how others were born into the Kingdom of God through the preaching of the apostles: Philip Preaching To The Samaritans In Acts 8... Some people think: • That when they have experienced joy • Or when they have believed • Or when they were baptized Then automatically, they were filled with the Holy Ghost. What does the Word say? Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the City of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. Did they have great Joy? Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Did they believe in Jesus Christ? Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Were they baptized in His name? Did they receive the Holy Ghost as a separate and distinct experience? Peter Preaching To The Gentiles In Acts 10... Some people say: • That being religious is enough • That tongues were only for that day Again... What does the Word say? Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. Was Cornelius a religious man? Did he give alms? Was he a praying man? Acts 10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter. 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Did God have more for him to do? Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the word. Did they receive the Holy Ghost after the day of Pentecost? Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. How did the Jewish believers know that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost? Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord... Did they still have to be baptized in Jesus' name? What About Paul's Preaching To The Disciples Of John The Baptist in Acts 19? Many people who are believers have not even heard about the Holy Ghost that is promised to them. Some say that baptism or re-baptism is not necessary. But what does the Bible say? Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. They were believers, but had they heard of or received the Holy Ghost? Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Did those baptized unto John's baptism have to be re-baptized in Jesus' name? Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Was receiving the Holy Ghost accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues? The Early Church Preached The Same Message Of Salvation: Jesus' Life, Death, Burial, Resurrection, Belief in Christ, Repentance, Baptism by immersion in Jesus' Name, and Receiving The Holy Ghost (with speaking in other tongues). The above article, “Rightly Dividing God’s Word” was written by Gary Sones. The article was excerpted from Sones’ book, The Way The Truth The Light. The material is copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.