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We must not read into Romans 9: that which had not then been revealed, namely, the
"one body" of Ephesians. Some have a difficulty with verses 21 and 22, because they
feel that if this passage refers to saved Gentiles it contradicts such a passage as Rom. 8:
To be clear as to this point it must be remembered that dispensational privileges must be
distinguished from personal standing. With regard to the former--they may be lost; with
regard to the latter--they are indefectible. A comparison of Rom. 9: with Gal. 3: will
be helpful just here. The "gospel" was never a "mystery hidden away from the ages and
generations," but was preached before unto Abraham; we must beware of confounding
the gospel with the mystery.
"Blessed with faithful Abraham" (Gal. 3: 9).
"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles" (Gal. 3: 14) (the same as Rom. 9:).
"If ye are Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3: 29).
"Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all" (Gal. 4: 26).
The new Jerusalem was a part of Abrahamic blessing, certainly of Abraham's faith
(see Heb. 9: 14-16). After Acts 28:, instead of a heavenly city which comes down
from heaven, we have "heavenly places in Christ," and the "citizenship which is in
heaven" (Eph. 1: 3 and Phil. 3: 20, Greek). We hope (D.5:) in our next issue to
consider the teaching of the pentecostal dispensation as to the second coming of Christ;
meanwhile, may writer and reader alike seek grace in understanding the Word of truth.
Summarizing, we have found:--
1. Acts 28: is the great boundary between the present dispensation and the past.
2. Those epistles written before Acts 28:, while containing much doctrinal
teaching which remains truth for to-day, also contain much that is transitional,
and much that belongs to a dispensation which has passed away.
3. That dispensation was Abrahamic and not that of the one body, as has been
hitherto so generally supposed.
Zech.
8
23
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of
all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will
go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.