Rightly Dividing The Word Of
Truth
Part 1
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:15-16)
To meet the approval of God we must be followers and students of God's word. This is accomplished only by rightly dividing the word of truth. His word furnishes us completely unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Some words spoken in the name of religion are profane and vain. Doctrines written by men are useless and (if followed) render a man's religion and worship in vain. (Matthew 15:9). We must not blindly accept what another may teach, but be cautious and study the Bible for ourselves (Acts 17:11). Errors abound (1 John 4:1).
The Bible contains two testaments. The Old Testament, written by Moses and the prophets was a covenant written for and bound upon the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-3). All men who have lived since the time of Christ's crucifixion are to study and obey the New Will and Testament of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3). The demands of the Old Law for sin were met when Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice for sin on the cross. Read Hebrews, chapters 9 and 10; Colossians 3:12-17.
While we can learn many great lessons by studying the Old Testament (Romans 15:4), it is not God's covenant, or spiritual law, for men today. The New Testament is God's law for men today. We must study and live by the Gospel. (Romans 1:16-17).
Part 2
To meet God's approval we must live by faith (Hebrews 11:6). To have the faith that saves, one must know and properly apply God's word (Romans 10:17). Study to show thyself approved unto God...(2 Timothy 2:15).
The Bible has two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains a history of God's dealings with man and a law given exclusively for the nations of Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-3).
The Old Testament was fulfilled and abolished (Ephesians 2:11-18). Now all men (Jew and Gentile) have access to God and blessing through His Son. (Ephesians 1:3). The New Testament of Christ is God's law for men to live by today. Read Hebrews 8:6-10:22.
With the abolishment of the Old Law and establishment of the New, we must not bind any Old Testament law on ourselves nor on others. Notice the injunction of Colossians 2:10-17: "Ye are complete in him...Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God...being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days..."
Things Old and New
With the passing of the Old Testament go the old things of that law. "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:13).
Among those things that have vanished or are not binding on men living under the New Testament of Christ is the offering of animal sacrifices. Jesus was the perfect offering for sin, once and for all time (Hebrews 9:28). Today men are to offer a living sacrifice by conforming their lives to the Gospel of Christ. (Romans 12:1-2; 1:16-17).
Under the former covenant only a select group of men could offer worship to God - the Levitical Priesthood (Hebrews 7:12). Under the New Testament all Christians are priests and may offer worship (1 Peter 2:5). God's temple today is His church (Ephesians 2:19-22). Christ is the High Priest (Hebrews 6:20). God does not authorize a separate priesthood today.
As the Law of Moses is now old and no longer binding, so is any restriction on the eating of food or meats. These God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:3-5).
Sabbath Day observance has been done away. Sunday, the first day of the week is God's special day for His saints to assemble for worship. (Colossians 2:8-17; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
The New Testament
The Bible is composed of sixty-six books. The first thirty-nine make up the Old Testament. It was penned by God through Moses and the prophets (Luke 24:44). As a body of law, the Old Testament is no longer binding on any men. (Colossians 2:14-17; Hebrews 10; Romans 7:1-7).
The remaining twenty-seven books of the Bible comprise the New Testament. The first four (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) tell of the birth, life, death, and burial and ascension of Christ. They demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:30-31).
The book, Acts, is a brief, early history of the church of Christ. It records its beginning in Jerusalem through its spread into the world. In this book God presents object lessons of 1) how man may be saved and 2) how the saved are to work in His kingdom. Each record of conversion in Acts shows that men must 1) hear the Gospel; 2) believe it, which is to have faith is Christ; 3) repent of sin; 4) confess Christ as the Son of God; 5) obey the Gospel in baptism; and 6) continue in the faith revealed in the Gospel (Romans 10:17).
The following twenty-one books (Romans - Jude) are letters written to saints and congregations. By studying these we may know how to live the Christian life. (Romans 15:4; 1 Timothy 3:14-15).
The final book, Revelation, gave courage and comfort to the persecuted saints of the First Century. It is a source of hope and inspiration to Christians today to remain faithful (Revelation 2:10).
From Our Archives, 1995
By: Joe Spangler