Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth
Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH
Text: 2 Timothy 2:15
MELVIN J. WISE
I am grateful to Brother Cox, and to those in charge of this lectureship, for placing me on the program. I appreciate the fact that I have been assigned this subject upon this great text of the Bible. Its observance is one of the first pre-requisites in coming to an intelligent understanding of the Scriptures'. Because of the importance of the admonition of this text, I always try to place it in the beginning of a series of sermons in almost every gospel meeting that I conduct. Let us first analyse the language of the apostle in the text:
I. The Text Analysed:
“Study.” This is a thing very few people do. There is much more involved in the study of God’s Word than mere reading. Many people read the Bible, but very few study it. Jesus said: “Search the Scriptures”—John 5:39. This does not mean to merely open the door and look in. If you were searching for a treasure in a deserted house, would you just open the door and look in? No. You would search in every crack and corner until you had found the treasure, or else become convinced that it was not there. But why study the Bible? Because the Bible unstudied and unsearched is like a great mine undiscovered and undeveloped. It contains all the light and revelation that the world has today. On the other hand, we need to study the Bible in order to “Show Thyself Approved Unto God.” Not merely to be able to argue the Scriptures and win an argument over our neighbors; not that we may appear intelligent and enlightened on the Scriptures; not that we may receive the praise of men; but, “A Workman that Needeth not to be Ashamed.”
Many people have been in the church for years who should feel ashamed over their lack of knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. In public school, and in college, students are given an examination to test their knowledge of subjects studied. I feel that such would do us good in the school of our Master. There is coming an examination time, however, when there will be no place for refuge to hide our shame.
“Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.”
This is one of the most neglected commands in the Bible. A failure to obey the Lord in this divine injunction is the primary cause for so much religious confusion today. Yet there is no part of the Bible, when obeyed, that is any more conducive to the unity of religious people than this admonition of Paul to Timothy. There are many people who profess Christianity, even many clergymen, who suppose themselves under equal obligations to obey Moses or any of the prophets, as much as Christ and his apostles. They are as likely to turn to the Psalms in finding an answer to the question “What must I do to be saved?” as to Acts of the Apostles. The religious world at large cannot seq why any part of the Bible should not be obligatory upon Christians today. They cannot see any reason why the New Testament should be preferred to the Old Testament. They are heard to ask: “Is it not all the Word of God, and not all mankind addressed in it? Did not Paul say to Timothy: ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works' —2 Timothy 3:16-17?” This is true, but Paul also said: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son”—Hebrews 1:1-2. The proper division of the Word was one of the greatest contributions that the restoration movement has made to the religious world. The “Sermon on the Law,” delivered by Alexander Campbell, was a most revolutionary sermon from the standpoint of changing religious thought. It was delivered by a young man only twenty-eight years of age, who had given no special preparation for that special sermon on that special occasion. At this time the Redstone Baptist Association, of which Mr. Campbell and his congregation were members, was in session. Mr. Campbell had been sent as a delegate from the Brush Run congregation, though through the jealousy of some older preachers he had been left off the program. However, just two hours before the service was tc have begun, on Lord’s day morning, the scheduled speaker was seized by sickness, and Campbell was invited to fill his place. Though his sermon was well received by the laymen, it only added fuel to the flames of jealousy which some of the preachers held against him. “This will never do,” they said, “this is not our doctrine.”
II. In Reading the Scriptures We Need to Ask these Questions:
Who speaks? The Bible is the Word of God, but not all of it are the words of God Himself. In this book there are also the words of the devil, false prophets, and sinners. The Bible says “there is no God,” but these are the words of a fool and not of God Himself. The Bible says “there is no resurrection from the dead,” but these are the words of the doubting Corinthians, and not of God Himself. To whom spoken? The Bible is addressed to Patriarchs', Jews, apostles, and Christians. The Ten Commandments were given to Jews, and to Jews only—Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:2-3. The law of Moses was never intended for any one but Jews. Paul said: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law” Romans 3:19. The new covenant, given to Christians, is not like the old covenant that was given to the Jews—Jeremiah 31:31-34. In the Bible God also addressed individuals and classes of individuals in a special way. The human family is addressed as husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, magistrates, masters, servants, believers, and unbelievers. It would be folly to apply to one individual what is said to all individuals.
Yet with many preachers today, if their text is in the Bible that is sufficient, no matter where it may be found. Nor does it matter to whom it is written, whether to Patriarchs, Jews, or Christians; whether to believers, or unbelievers.
What spoken? Is it a narrative, prophecy, or a command?
How spoken? Was it spoken figuratively, illustratively, or literally?
For what purpose? Was it written to convince, confirm, or to comfort? In what age spoken? A dispensational conception of the Scriptures is one of the most important factors in rightly dividing the Word of Truth. The Bible naturally divides itself into three great ages, viz: Patriarchal, Jewish, and Christian. These divisions are just as necesary and just as distinct as the divisions of secular history, such as ancient, medieval, and modern. To illustrate: Since 1819, Texas has been under three governments. From 1819 to 1836, she was under Mexican control; from 1836 to 1845, she was a Rebublic of her own; but after 1845, she became a state of the United States. The laws that existed in each of these periods were binding only upon the people that lived in Texas during each particular period. Thus, the law of God during the Patriarchal age was binding only upon the people that lived in that era, and not upon the people that lived in the two following dispensations. The same would be true of the law of God that existed during the Jewish regime, also the Christian economy. The Patriarchal age lasted for 2500 years, from the creation to the giving of the law of Moses on Mount Sinai. The books that cover the history of this age are Genesis, and the first nineteen chapters of Exodus. This age was characterized by a family religion, in which the father of each family served as a priest to that family. The Jewish age lasted for 1500 years, from the giving of the law of Moses to the death of Christ. The books that belong to this age are Exodus through Malachi—also the four gospels of the New Testament. In this age there existed, not a family religion, but a national one—to the Jewish nation. There was in this regime a central place of worship—the tabernacle of Moses, and later the temple of Solomon. The Christian age began at the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, and is to last until the second coming of Christ. The books that belong to this age are Acts of Apostles through Revelation. The religion of this age is not a family, nor a national one, but an international one. The place of worship is anywhere disciples may be gathered together— Matthew 10:20.
III. A Right Division is Not Only Necessary to the Proper Understanding of the Bible, but also of any other Book.
The Bible, like a great library, comes to us in different parts; and we need to learn those different parts, so that we can point out to the people just the very thing they need to learn. The teacher in grammar must be familiar with its different parts, so as to be able to appropriate that part that is needed by the student. He would not think of turning tc the lesson on verbs in the study of nouns. The Bible may be likened unto a doctor’s library. One book treats on child’s diseases, another on nervous diseases, another on fever, and another on pneumonia. If a patient was suffering from pneumonia the doctor would not read the book that treats on toothache. Thus, we should be so familiar with the Bible that we can know just what part to refer to in every need.
IV. The Bible Divides Itself into Two Parts—The Old and New Testaments.
We cannot fully understand one without the other. Someone has very wisely said: “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, while the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.” The books of the Old Testament are: (thirty-nine in number).
1. Genesis, which means “origin.” This is an account of the origin or beginning of all things.
2. Exodus, which means “exit” or “a going out.” This is a narrative of Israel going out of Egypt.
3. Leviticus, which deals principally with the Levitical priests and their duties.
4. Numbers—so called because it gives two accounts of the numbering of Israel.
5. Deuteronomy, which is “a repetition of the law.”
6. Joshua, which tells the story of Israel under the leadership of Joshua, including their passage across the Jordan and their possession of Canaan.
7. Judges, gives an account of the reign of the fifteen judges of Israel.
8. Ruth—the one love story of the Bible. It takes its name from Ruth, the devoted daughter-in-law of Naomi.
9. and 10. First and Second Samuel were written by Samuel. They give an account of the last two judges of Israel (Eli and Samuel), and the first two kings of Israel (Saul and David).
11. and 12. First and Second Kings record the reign of Solomon, the division of the kingdom, and the reign of the nineteen kings of Israel and the twenty kings of Judah after the kingdom was divided. The books of First and Second Samuel and First and Second Kings were called by Jerome, “The books1 of the kings.”
13. First Chronicles contains the sacred history of genealogies from creation to David, including an account of his reign.
14. Second Chronicles—the author continues the story of sacred history giving the history of the kings of Judah down to the return from Babylonian captivity.
15. and 16. Ezra and Nehemiah take their names from the authors. They each tell of the return of Judah from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. Ezra tells of the rebuilding of the temple of Solomon, while Nehemiah tells of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
17. Esther gives an account of how a little Jewish maiden won the esteem of a pagan king, became queen, and was thereby instrumental in saving her people (the Jews) from destruction.
18. Job tells of the trials and fidelity of a man very close to the Lord, thus James speaks of “the patience of Job”—James 5:11.
19. Psalms were written by David, the second king of Israel. They compose the Jewish hymn and prayer book.
20. Proverbs, or “wise sayings” contain a collection of the “wise sayings” of Solomon. They are very rich in practical truths.
21. Ecclesiastes, or “the preacher” was written by Solomon. This book contains the confession of a man of wide and ripe experiences, who looks upon his past experiences and the disorders of life which surround him.
22. Songs of Solomon contain one of the one thousand and five songs or “canticles” of Solomon.
23. and 24. Ezekiel and Daniel, who were captives in Babylon, give us a glimpse of the Jewish life in Babylon during the captivity.
25. Lamentations—because of this book, its contents and its name, Jeremiah is called “the weeping prophet” of Israel. In this book he is weeping over the ruin of his country, of which he had already prophesied.
26. to 39. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hoshea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zecha~ riah, and Malachi. They all bear the names of their authors.
Speaking generally, these books contain principally the prophecies of the coming of Christ, and the establishment of his kingdom and gospel in the world. The books of the New Testament are: (Twenty-seven in number).
1. to 4. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the four gospels.
These books are called “the Books of Evidence.” They convince the unbeliever that Jesus is the Christ. “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name”—John 20:30-31. This division may be regarded as preparatory—getting things ready for the establishment of the kindgom of God—the church of Jesus Christ on earth. John the Baptist introduced the Son of God to Israel, then immediately dropped out of the picture. John said concerning Christ: “He must increase, but I must decrease”—John 3:30. For three and one half years during the personal ministry of Christ, he continued proving himself to be the Son of God “with many infallible proofs,” training his apostles for the great work they were to do. Knowing that he was to soon leave them, he said: “I go away.” He then promised them the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, to guide them into the ways of all truth—John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 16:13.
5. Acts of the Apostles.
Prior to the Pentecost of Acts the second chapter, the church had always been spoken of in the future; but on this Pentecost the church was referred to as existing in fact. For the first time in answer to the question “What must I do to be saved?” it was said: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”— Acts 2:38. For the first time we read that people were “added to the church”—Acts 2:47. This shows that a new order of things began on that day. From that time until the present, there has never been a change in the scheme of redemption, nor will there ever be as long as the world shall stand. Hence, if we want to learn what to do to be saved we must begin with this chapter and read on throughout the remaining part of this book. This book is not anything like a complete record of all that the apostles did under the commission to “teach all nations;” and should, therefore, not be called “The Acts of the Apostles,” but “Acts of Apostles.”
6. through 26. Romans through Jude—(the Epistles)
These letters were addressed to Christians, instructing them in the duties, privileges, and hopes of the Christian life. From these epistles we learn how the apostles carried out the second part of the great commission, viz.: “teaching them to observe all things.”
27. Revelation.
This is a book of prophetic symbols. Not everyone can be relied upon as a safe interpreter of its symbols and visions. Critics and cranks have far less trouble in understanding and explaining it than scholars do.
While the four gospels convince, and the book of Acts convert, and the Epistles confirm, the book of Revelation comforts. It is a book that pictures the new Jerusalem, the holy city, the home of the soul, where “God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.” This book is in a special way a source of comfort to the tired, worn soldier of the cross. By its light he can catch a dim glimpse of the home and rest for which his weary soul sighs.
Conclusion:
The Bible is indeed a wonderful book. It is the only source of light from which we learn of the definite origin, mission, and destiny of man. The Bible, when rightly divided becomes one of the easiest books to understand that has ever been written; showing what God has done for us, and what we must do to obtain remission of past sins, and eternal salvation beyond the dark river of death.
I commend you unto the Woi;d of His grace. Study it daily, study it prayerfully and obediently. Walk in the light of its precepts, and be saved at last by its power.