23
A KEY TO HOLY SCRIPTURE
The blessings peculiar to the church of the one Body are found here (Eph. 1:3); to this exalted glory the Lord
ascended when He was raised from the dead and set on the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places far above
all principality and power (Eph. 1:20,21). Here, too, is the sphere of the church - He has `made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (Eph. 2:6).
Should the reader question the unique character of these blessings at the right hand of God, let him set aside the
epistles of Paul the prisoner, and then seek the slightest warrant for teaching that any redeemed sinner could
entertain the hope of one day ascending `far above all' heavens, principalities and powers. May the search bring a
glorious conviction to every reader.
Chapter 19
ACTS 28:17-28 THE DISPENSATIONAL BOUNDARY
The key to the Word
We have before said that the recognition of the principle of rightly dividing the Word of truth, and its application
to the last chapter of Acts, is the most important result that we hope for from the perusal of this booklet.
Paul's all-day conference with the elders of Israel was epoch-making. Notice particularly his line of teaching,
and compare it with the inspired summary given of his subsequent ministry in verse 31.
Paul's last witness to Israel
`He expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of
Moses, and out of the prophets' (verse 23). Notice his theme - the all embracive kingdom of God. Notice the
section of that kingdom, that which is connected with the Saviour under His title of `Jesus' (which is rarely used by
Paul, though frequent in the record of the Lord's earthly life), and that which was to be proved from the law and the
prophets.
Paul's prison ministry to the Gentiles
`Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ' (verse 31).
Notice the difference. The sphere of the kingdom of God now opened up is no longer that which is connected with
`Jesus', but the Lord Jesus Christ, and this being the dispensation of the mystery kept secret since the ages, no
appeal can be made to the law and the prophets, as it can only be learned by a revelation as explained in Ephesians
3. Between these two passages comes the dispensational crisis.
Isaiah 6:10 - A crisis
The quotation of Isaiah 6:10 in each of its occurrences indicates a crisis. In Matthew 13:14,15, where it first
occurs, there follows the rejection of Christ by Israel as Prophet, Priest and King (Matt. 12). In John 12:39-41 is
recorded the conclusion of the public ministry to `His own' who received Him not, before He turned to `His own'
(13:1) and their private teaching.
For the last time Isaiah 6:10 is quoted in Acts 28:25-28, closing the door of Israel's recognition, and opening the
new door of the mystery to the Gentiles.
`Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it'.
Chapter 20
CONCLUSION
The conclusion of this booklet leads us but to the beginning of our theme. The right division of the Word is not
an end in itself, it is a `Key to Holy Scripture'. Just what the dispensation of the mystery is, what its special