THE RIGHT DIVISION
SCRIPTURE
8
OF
Isaiah's prophecy is wonderfully evangelical, yet it is wise to note the inspired `address' - `Concerning Judah
and Jerusalem' (Isa. 1:1).
Peter's epistles contain much precious truth, yet the believer called during the present dispensation of grace to
the Gentiles would be wise to note that Peter does not transgress the bounds of his administration; he still ministers
to the circumcision and addresses himself to `the dispersion' - the people of Israel scattered among the nations. If
this is noted, the Gentile reader may be saved from misappropriating the exclusively Jewish calling of a `kingdom of
priests'. `A royal priesthood, a holy nation' does not describe the character of the church of the One Body.
The epistle of James is addressed to `the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad' - (Jas. 1:1), and we therefore
consider that no Gentile assembly or Gentile minister can find scriptural warrant from James 5:14 for anointing the
sick with oil.
Other divisions of truth that are vital to its true understanding are:
The distinction between LAW and GRACE.
The difference between STANDING and STATE.
The distinction between SALVATION and SERVICE.
The difference between KINGDOM and CHURCH.
And there are many others which the earnest student will recognize as he pursues the truth through the Word.
Once again we must remember that our object here is to make a `declaration', the explanation and defence being
subsidiary. Each heading would demand a volume to itself if we would present it in any measure of completeness.
We therefore must leave the matter here, with the declaration that we most sincerely believe that to attain unto the
truth of the Word of God, that Word must be divided rightly, especially with reference to its varied `dispensations'.
`Distinguish the dispensations, and discrepancies disappear'.
The interested reader will find the booklet, United yet Divided, a Key to Holy Scripture, by the same author and
publisher, of help in this matter of right division.
CHAPTER 4
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
1.
THE DECLARATION.
We believe that `confessedly great is the mystery of godliness'. While God absolutely is Spirit and invisible,
Whom no man has seen or can see, yet for the purpose of creation He assumed the limitations suggested by the
titles, `The Image of the invisible God', `The Form of God', and `The Word', and for the purpose of redemption He
yet further limited Himself by being made flesh and tabernacling among us as the Only Begotten of the Father. In
spite of all such limitations, and in spite of the problems arising out of His incarnation, we believe we may, with
Thomas, fully and unreservedly bow at the feet of Christ, and say: `My Lord and my God'.
2.
SCRIPTURAL GROUNDS.
`In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... All things were made by
Him ... the world was made by Him' (John 1:1,3,10).
`Before Abraham was, I am' (John 8:58).
`Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the
word of His power ... Unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever ... Thou, Lord, in the
beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish;
but Thou remainest' (Heb. 1:3,8,10,11).