Sermon Series on Rightly Dividing the Word of God

Lesson 1  Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth

If you have your Bible with you, I encourage you to turn to Timothy 2, where we will examine one of the most recognizable verses in all of Second Timothy. Specifically, we will focus on Second Timothy chapter 2, verse 15. It's important to remember the background of this book: Paul is in prison and is fairly certain he will not leave alive. These words serve as his final instructions to a dear friend, a close associate, and a fellow gospel preacher. Timothy has been tasked with a significant role as a local minister. Paul has important guidance to share with Timothy, which also needs to be conveyed to the congregation. The passage reads, in the New King James Version: Second Timothy chapter 2, verse 15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

We can draw several important insights from that verse. Diligence is defined not by laxity, laziness, or apathy; rather, it is characterized by intense effort. Diligence requires a zealous commitment and a passionate approach to our tasks. But what are we meant to be diligent about? We are called to present ourselves as approved before God. Thus, the question arises: how can we present ourselves approved and avoid shame in His presence? I don't want to stand before God, feeling ashamed. So, how do we cultivate this diligence? Paul shares this guidance with Timothy, inspired by the Holy Spirit: we must rightly divide the word of truth.

The term "rightly divide" refers to the act of plowing a straight row, symbolizing a direct approach to uncovering the truth—addressing the core issues accurately and correctly. If I wish to stand before God without shame and receive His approval, I have a significant responsibility to handle the word of truth correctly. Some might argue that the religious landscape today is filled with numerous individuals who claim to follow the Bible yet teach contradictory beliefs. Is this a reflection of God's failure to make His word clear? Absolutely not. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 14, God is not the author of confusion but of peace. The existence of conflicting teachings in the religious world is not God's fault; He made His word understandable.

How do I approach this accurately and correctly? It implies that there's also a way to handle it inaccurately and incorrectly. Today, we'll introduce how to interpret God's word correctly. One of the most crucial skills we need is the ability to handle God's word accurately, carefully, and truthfully.

How can I achieve this goal? Some might contend that it's impossible, but God assures us otherwise. He instructs us, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." This signifies that every word I speak and every action I take must be carried out in His name. It implies that we operate under His authority—what He has authorized and taught. Therefore, since everything I do must be in His name and under His authority, it is my responsibility to comprehend the teachings of His word fully.

There seems to be a great deal of confusion and numerous conflicting teachings regarding the Bible. It raises the question: why is there such a lack of agreement among those who claim to understand its message? The answer lies not with God, but with humanity's failure to interpret Scripture accurately and rightly divide it diligently. I seek to handle it correctly. Here are some established ways to rightly divide the word of truth—these insights are not originally mine, and you may have encountered them before. First, it is essential to distinguish between the three distinct periods of the Bible. Failing to do so has resulted in various misunderstandings and conflicting doctrines.

There appears to be considerable confusion and numerous conflicting teachings surrounding the Bible. This raises a vital question: why is there such a lack of consensus among those who claim to comprehend its message? The answer does not rest with God but rather with humanity's shortcomings in diligently interpreting Scripture and rightly dividing it. My aim is to handle it correctly. Here are some established principles for accurately dividing the word of truth—insights that are not original to me and may be familiar to you. First, it is crucial to recognize the three distinct periods of the Bible. Neglecting to make this distinction has led to many misunderstandings and conflicting doctrines.

When God created the world, He established what is often referred to as patriarchal law. This was a time when God communicated directly with the heads of families, such as Noah and Abraham, guiding them on what they needed to do.

Abraham was instructed to leave the land where he was born and travel to a distant country. Did God give this command to all the patriarchs? No, many did not receive such a directive. When we consider the entire period in which God interacted with people in this manner, we often refer to it as the patriarchal era. During this time, different expectations existed. For example, people were not required to observe the Lord's Supper as we did this morning, primarily because Christ had not yet died. Were they required to be baptized in the name of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins? No, they were not.

Christ had not yet arrived in the world then, which is why some of the instructions given to individuals did not apply to certain periods or circumstances. Different laws were established for different groups. Then we reach the time of the Mosaic Law, often referred to as the law of Moses, which was introduced specifically for a particular group of people. This law was intended solely for the nation of Israel, not for everyone on Earth. Occasionally, these individuals would go out and make converts, who are sometimes referred to in the Bible as proselytes.

God gave the law specifically to the Israelites, which began when it was delivered to Moses on the mountain. This law remained in effect until the death of Christ, as stated in Colossians, which tells us that the law was nailed to the cross and was thus concluded at that point. For approximately 1,500 years, the law of Moses applied only to those people and not to any others. It is not intended for us today, meaning I am not required to make animal sacrifices or gather as God's people to worship on the Sabbath; those practices have been done away with. Additionally, those who lived under the law then were not obligated to partake in the Lord's Supper for the same reason. This highlights the distinction of different laws across different time periods.

The law that governs everyone today is the law of Christ, which is referred to by various names in the New Testament. This law came into effect with the death of Christ, marking the end of the Mosaic law. Shortly after His death, the church was established, as described in Acts chapter 2. Since that time, every person, regardless of where they live, has been accountable to this new law, not to the law of Moses or the patriarchal law. Recognizing the distinction between these three laws and systems is crucial. Failing to rightly divide them has led to significant confusion and conflicting interpretations.

The Bible clearly outlines the efforts taken to teach the people of the 1st century that the law of Moses was no longer in effect. Though it had been relevant for a time, it was rendered obsolete when Christ nailed it to the cross. This means that no individual can live under that law anymore. Perhaps more than any other factor, failing to distinguish between the three different laws properly has resulted in considerable confusion and conflicting teachings. It is crucial for us to rightly divide the word of truth, paying careful attention to the audience to whom various statements in the Bible are addressed.

You might think this is fairly obvious, and in some respects, it is; however, in other ways, it isn't. God specifically instructed Abraham, saying, "You must leave your homeland and your father's house and go to a distant land." This command was directed solely to Abraham and doesn't apply to anyone else. Similarly, God told Noah, "You are to build this large ship in a specific manner," and he did not give this instruction to anyone else. Therefore, when we encounter statements or commands in the Bible, we must be mindful of whom they are addressed to.

When examining the New Testament, we find a distinction between statements directed at those outside of Christ—often referred to as alien sinners—and those who are within the church, the Christians. Not once are those outside of Christ instructed to partake in the Lord's Supper. Similarly, alien sinners are never told in the New Testament to pray for the forgiveness of their sins; this directive does not appear at all.

For instance, those outside of Christ, like Cornelius and his household, were instructed to repent and be baptized, as seen in Acts 2:38. To enter the body of Christ, they were required to undergo immersion, as described in Romans 6:3-4, which serves as a burial for the forgiveness of their sins. In contrast, Christians are not given this same instruction; it is specifically aimed at non-Christians.

The flip side of this discussion is that there are certain things Christians are instructed to do that alien sinners are not. For instance, consider the case of Simon. He had heard about the word and was baptized, and he witnessed the apostles possessing the power to perform miraculous healings. What did he desire? He wanted that power. However, he had committed a sin. If you revisit that account, you will see he was told to repent and pray for forgiveness, not to be baptized. Why wasn't he instructed to be baptized? It's because he was not an alien sinner; he had already experienced New Testament baptism. Some people may become confused by this distinction, not realizing to whom those instructions are actually addressed.

It is essential to recognize the significance of identifying to whom statements in the Bible are directed. We must consider whether they are addressed to those who do not know Christ, to Christians, or to people living under the Law of Moses. This understanding is crucial as we interpret the messages conveyed in the Scripture.

There are numerous examples of this occurring from time to time. The apostles spent a significant amount of time with Jesus, especially during the final days of his life in Jerusalem, where his death was imminent. He frequently met with his apostles in the upper room and addressed them directly. However, many people tend to take the entire conversation he had with the apostles and apply it to every individual, which is a misinterpretation, as those statements were specifically made to the apostles.

He tells them to remember that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, is coming. The Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth and will let them know what to say. They won't need to study or prepare, as the Spirit will provide them with the exact words to use. However, it is important to understand that this message was directed specifically to those twelve apostles and should not be taken out of context as if it applies to everyone in the world.

There is confusion and conflicting teachings because certain passages were written specifically to the apostles. For instance, when we examine John 14, John 15, and John 16, we see that these chapters address the apostles directly. The Holy Spirit, as referred to in these texts, does not guide me into all truth in the miraculous way it did for the apostles. They were endowed with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak in languages they had never learned as a sign, and they performed miraculous healings on the spot, an ability I do not possess. Therefore, the statements made specifically to the apostles do not apply to me. If I fail to divide the word of truth rightly, I risk arriving at erroneous conclusions. It is my responsibility to interpret the Scripture correctly.

We must differentiate between matters of faith and personal opinions regarding our responsibilities. Galatians 6:10 and James 1:27 instruct us to care for widows and orphans in their afflictions. Galatians 6:10 emphasizes that we should assist anyone in need, particularly those within our own households. As Christians and as church communities, we are all called to fulfill this obligation. While Galatians addresses congregations, James speaks more directly to individual Christians, highlighting that both groups share the responsibility to care for widows and orphans.

Neither of these passages nor any other scripture strictly prescribes how this care must be provided. Some individuals may have established laws or guidelines suggesting a singular approach, but the Bible does not limit our options in this regard. For instance, I can take widows and orphans into my home or choose to support their care financially, whether by hiring someone or donating to an organization that serves many. There are various ways to fulfill this obligation. It's important to recognize that while the responsibility to provide care is grounded in our faith, the methods we employ to meet that obligation can be a matter of personal opinion.

Recall the restoration motto that was often emphasized during that period: "In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; and in all things, love." Regarding matters of faith, we must remain united, for God is not the author of confusion. When it comes to opinions, we should embrace liberty. For example, if you choose to welcome a widow or an orphan into your home, I have no right to prevent you from doing so. Likewise, if I wish to provide financial support to a home caring for such individuals, no one should have the authority to stop me.

In discussions on matters of opinion, we must also strive to rightly divide the word to discern what pertains to faith and what falls under personal opinion. Additionally, we should accurately distinguish between temporary and permanent truths.

Some of the roles and offices mentioned in the New Testament, such as that of the apostles, were specific to the 1st century. How can we determine that the office of an apostle was limited to that period? According to the Bible, one had to witness the resurrected Savior to qualify as an apostle. This is why Paul needed to see the risen Savior on the road to Damascus; without that experience, he could not have been an apostle. Today, can anyone claim to have seen the risen Savior? No. Therefore, we can conclude that this was a temporary office. Those inspired men were entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of revealing God's word in the 1st century, and once their task was completed, there was no longer any need for new revelation or the revealing of God's word. God's word has been completely revealed.

Certain activities or events occurred in the 1st century, such as the Holy Spirit baptism, which no longer takes place today. These events held significant importance during that time but were never intended to last beyond it. The apostles received this baptism, as outlined in Acts chapter 2, highlighting its crucial role. However, it's important to note that this baptism did not save the apostles or anyone else; that was not its purpose.

In contrast, the baptism associated with the Great Commission, as mentioned in Mark 16 and Matthew 28, serves a different and lasting purpose. It commands believers to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." The scripture indicates that "he who believes and is baptized shall be saved," which emphasizes the role of water baptism in the New Testament. Furthermore, in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus instructed the apostles to carry out these practices "until the end of the age," indicating their enduring relevance.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit in the 1st century was a unique event. When we fail to distinguish between what the Bible identifies as temporary and what is permanent, we make significant errors. Many people replicate this mistake with the miraculous gifts of the 1st century, overlooking the message of 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter, particularly from the second part of verse 8 through to the end, clearly indicates that those miraculous gifts were intended to be temporary.

These matters are significant because they help us accurately interpret the word of truth. If I fail to do so, I will stand before God, feeling ashamed and imprudent. It is my responsibility, as well as yours, to address these issues with utmost seriousness. To rightly divide the word of truth, I must differentiate between what constitutes law and what merely reflects customs or traditions of the 1st century.

For instance, practices like foot washing and greeting one another with a holy kiss were common in that era. Foot washing, in particular, demonstrated humility and servanthood, especially since people wore open-toed sandals while walking on dirt roads, leading to significantly dirty feet. When guests arrived in a home, washing their feet was a way to express humility and service—it was not an act of worship directed toward God. Unfortunately, some individuals have entrusted this practice with a significance it was never intended to have. Therefore, both you and me need to discern the differences between such practices.

Kissing was a common way to greet one another in the 1st century. Many people would greet each other with a kiss. When the New Testament arrived, it addressed this custom to ensure that it remained respectful. For example, Paul instructed to "greet one another with a holy kiss," suggesting that while this custom was good, it had to be approached with purity and intent.

Today, in some cultures, this practice continues, while in America, we generally greet with a handshake or other gestures. Paul emphasized the importance of ensuring that the kiss did not turn into something inappropriate; it had to be a "holy kiss."

Furthermore, it's important to distinguish between cultural circumstances and biblical requirements. This may seem obvious, but failing to do so has led to many misunderstandings around the world. As we examine the New Testament, we must recognize the different cultural contexts, customs, and traditions and carefully differentiate between a specific circumstance and a mandated requirement.

Recall the story of the Philippian jailer. Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi, and at midnight, something remarkable happened. But let's consider this: what if it had been 11:45 instead of midnight? Would the Philippian jailer have been saved? Whether it was 11:45 or 12:00, the timing was merely a circumstance and had no bearing on the jailer's salvation.

Now, think about why Paul and Silas were freed from jail. An earthquake occurred, but what if it had been a tornado instead? Would the jailer still have found salvation? Absolutely, the earthquake was just a circumstance and had nothing to do with his salvation. The important question is: why was the jailer saved? The Bible tells us that he believed and obeyed the message that Paul and Silas shared about the gospel and Jesus Christ. It was this message that saved him—not the circumstances or conditions surrounding it.

Consider Lydia, too. She was meeting with a group of women by the river. Did her location have anything to do with her salvation or the establishment of the church there? No, it was simply a circumstance.

What about the end of Jesus' life when He instructed Peter to go into the city? They were meant to do various tasks, including going to an upper room where they gathered and instituted the Lord's Supper. But what if they had met on the ground floor instead of the upper room? Would that have made any difference? Of course not. However, this has led to conflict. There's a particular religious group in Oklahoma that insists on only meeting in upper rooms. This is true, and they're not rightly dividing the word of truth. As a result, they're causing confusion and misunderstandings because they are not correctly interpreting the teachings.

You and I carry a responsibility, which is why we must invest significantly more time in studying to accurately understand the word of truth. When we consider the people on Pentecost, Lydia, or the Philippian jailer, we see that their salvation experience mirrors our own. I don't need someone miraculously endowed to speak a language they haven't learned to share the gospel with me. I don't need to be by the river to find salvation, nor do I need to be in an upper room or wait for an earthquake at midnight to be saved. My salvation comes in the same way theirs did—by believing the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, and acting upon that belief through repentance, confession, and baptism. That's how they were saved, and that's all I can share. As we seek to be approved before God, it is through believing that message and obeying it.