The History of Faith

Posted on May 20, 2012 by dsheridan

What is Faith?

The word “faith” has suffered from misuse. Faith is believing what God said and then conforming your life to what He said. We won’t have a perfect batting average. We will have failures. But those who believe God want to do their best to walk worthy of their God. Faith implies action.

Many say they believe there is a God but don’t respond to Him. They believe He exists but they don’t believe what He says. I have met people. I know they exist because I saw them face to face and talked with them. But I don’t believe anything they say. They aren’t trustworthy. In other words – I have no faith in them.

But God is faithful. Those who believe are saying – God is true. Faith is based on a promise. Faith expects action on the part of the one promising. We believe God will do what He said. We conduct our lives knowing God will do what He said. Faith isn’t generic – it is specific. We believe something that God specifically tells us and live accordingly.

Abraham’s Faith

God made promises to Abraham. They were specific. Abraham believed God. God reckoned Abraham righteous for believing. Abraham’s faith caused him to act. How? Abraham lived his life as if what God said was actually going to happen. He conducted his whole life with God’s promises in view. God’s promises were the aura in which Abraham lived his life. Whether he was involved in commerce, farming or taking care of his family – God’s promises surrounded him.

This is why Abraham lived in a tent. See Hebrews 11. A tent is a temporary house. He looked for a city whose builder and maker is God. This city one day will come down from God out of heaven. Abraham’s faith was seen in how he lived.

Israel In The Wilderness

God redeemed Israel from Egypt and promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. But they didn’t believe God. Moses sent spies to bring a report back about the land. Israel didn’t believe. Because of their unbelief they died in the wilderness and missed out on God’s promise. Only those who believed made it in. Joshua and Caleb are examples.

The Church In Acts

During the period covered by the book of Acts a new hope was offered to Israel. This was a heavenly hope given to those who were counted as spiritual Israel. It was another promised land. It was given to those who believed it. It was the New Jerusalem. Those who believed had a better resurrection than those who will get the land of promise on earth. They will meet the Lord in the air. This was a specific promise to be embraced by faith. Just as Joshua and Caleb didn’t enter the land of promise because of their heroic deeds, so too, these didn’t receive this hope by their good works. They received it by faith. Joshua and Caleb believed that God was actually giving them the land and they acted accordingly. In short, for Israel and the Church of Acts – God made a promise – believers claimed it by faith. They lived as if God meant what He said.

From Abraham to Acts 28

Israel in the Old Testament was offered the land on earth. Those who had faith will inherit it in resurrection.

After the Lord Jesus was rejected during His earthly ministry a new hope was revealed. The Lord said He was going to prepare a place for those who believed Him. That place was in heaven. It was a higher hope than anything that was previously revealed in the Old Testament. It could only be enjoyed by faith in that promise. The Apostles to the Circumcision preached this gospel or promise. The Apostle Paul also proclaimed this promise in Acts.

The 12 Apostles confined their ministry to the Jews except in one recorded case in Acts 10 when Peter went to Cornelius. What preaching Paul did to the Gentiles during the Acts was only secondary. IT WAS ALWAYS TO THE JEW FIRST. The Gentiles who believed were grafted into the olive tree. The Olive Tree is Israel. They became partakers of the promises made to Abraham. Before Paul’s ministry Gentiles had to become Jews to partake in Abrahamic blessings. They had to be circumcised and keep the law. But they didn’t have to do any of that after Paul. This move by Paul was to provoke Israel to jealousy.

Father Forgive Them

The Lord Jesus prayed for Israel’s forgiveness on the cross. That prayer was answered. Israel enjoyed the greatest blessings in their history during Acts. They spoke in tongues, healed the sick, raised the dead and performed a host of other miracles.

But even with these abundant blessings, Isreal as a nation rejected the preaching of the kingdom and the returning King. As a result, God closed the doors of the kingdom to the Jews at Acts 28:28. Since the Gentiles were grafted in, the door was closed on them too.

Things looked very dark at this point. How will the world be evangelized if Israel has failed? They were the priesthood nation with the great commission. The Gentiles weren’t given those jobs. So what?

This was the greatest crises in world history! Would Christianity fail?

The Greatest Grace From The Greatest Failure

God had reserved the greatest grace for now! He had a plan. It was hidden from ages and generations. It wasn’t revealed to any of the prophets. There wasn’t a hint of it before Acts 28:28. At this point the Lord appeared to Paul and gave him the revelation. It was the mystery hidden away from the ages and generations. Actually, God revealed two mysteries to Paul. Each one is bound up with the other. They go hand in hand.

Mystery 1: The Mystery of the Unsearchable (Lit: Untraceable) Riches of Christ. This mystery was gradually unfolded since creation.

Mystery 2: The Gospel of the Dispensation of the Mystery. Christ Among The Gentiles, The Hope of Glory. This was an absolute secret.

Mystery number 1 was concerning the latest honors bestowed on Christ. Paul reveals honors given to Christ that were unknown before. Throughout the Bible Christ is progressively given more honors and greater glories. Paul is told about the highest honors of the Son of God. Mystery number 2 is the corresponding glory bestowed upon a group of redeemed people who are associated with Christ in those honors.

Old Testament Israel was associated with Christ as King on earth. The Church of Acts was associated with further honors bestowed on Christ as bridegroom in the New Jerusalem. The Body of Christ is associated with the highest honors of Christ as Head over all things to the Church in the heavenly places.

God gave up the nations back in Genesis 11. God only dealt with the nations from then on through the priesthood nation Israel. The Jews never dreamed that God would deal directly with the Gentiles. But now God does. Because of the reconciliation made on the cross God can do this. To Paul it was revealed that God would now deal with all nations on an equal footing – both Jew and Gentile.

No More Rapture or New Jerusalem

When Israel was cut off at Acts 28:28 so was their hope. From that point on no one can claim the “rapture” or the New Jerusalem as their hope. No one can claim it today. It isn’t offered. People can profess hope in this promise which was given to Israel. However, something can’t be received unless it is offered. Even a person who professes great faith in Israel’s hope and is zealous for it can’t change facts. Man can’t change God’s plans.

Paul hoped in Israel’s hope all through Acts. In both Corinthians and Thessalonians he looked for that hope. But after this hope was taken away from Israel he no longer looked for it. Instead of expecting to be caught up alive to meet the Lord in the air (1 Th 4), he now was resigned to dying and being manifested in the celestial region later (2 Ti. 4). Instead of a hope in the New Jerusalem, he now expected to be manifested with Christ in glory (Co. 3:1-4).

The Only Hope Offered Today

This is the only hope offered today. It is either accepted by faith or you don’t get it. As far as I can tell from the Scriptures, those who don’t believe the gospel of the dispensation of the mystery will have to wait for the Great White Throne and be resurrected with Job (Job 14:12) and the Malefactor (Luke23:43). They will enter into the paradise. Paradise is a literal place on the new earth. They will miss out on the coronation of Christ in the heavenly places (Co. 3:1-4); they will miss out on Israel’s heavenly hope which is the rapture; they will miss out on the millennium; they will miss out on the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Read Ephesians. Believe it.

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Paul’s Letters to the Body of Christ

Posted on May 19, 2012 by dsheridan

Seven Letters of Paul After Acts 28:28 – Truth For Today

A. Ephesians: The Hope of our Calling

Mystery. In the Heavenlies.
Fullness. Head. Body.
Principalities and Powers.

B. Philippians: The Prize of our Calling

Try the things that differ.
Strive. Press toward mark.
Prize. Depart. Offered.

C. Philemon: Truth In Practice

A. Colossians: The Hope of Glory

Complete In Him. Dispensation.
Mystery. Glory.
Fullness. Head. Body.
Principalities and Powers.

B. 1 Timothy. Titus. 2 Timothy: The Crown

Rightly divide the word of truth.
Strive. Course finished.
Crown. Depart. Offered.

This structure was created by Charles H. Welch.

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Chart of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures

Posted on May 19, 2012 by dsheridan

The Holy Scriptures

Part 1. The Law (Torah)

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

Part 2. The Prophets (Nebi’im)

A. The Former Prophets (Zech. 7:7)

Joshua
Judges
Samuel
Kings

B. The Latter Prophets

Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Minor Prophets

Part 3. The Psalms (Kethubim)

Psalms
Proverbs
Job
Song of Solomon
Ruth
Lamentations
Ecclesiastes
Esther
Daniel
Ezra-Nehemiah
Chronicles

Part 4. The Crown Rights Asserted

Matthew
Mark
Luke
Acts

Part 5. The Crown Rights Refused

A. Paul’s Acts Letters – Parousia and Apocalypse

Galatians
Hebrews
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Romans

B. Circumcision Letters – Parousia and Apocalypse

James
Jude
1 John
2 John
3 John
1 Peter
2 Peter

Part 6. The Present Dispensation. Israel Rejected. John 1:11, Acts 28:28

A. The Gospel of Eonian Life to the World – No Repentance or Baptism. Believe 100 times.

John

B. The Gospel of the Dispensation of the Mystery – Epiphaneia

Ephesians
Philippians
Philemon
Colossians
1 Timothy
Titus
2 Timothy

I have provided a more detailed chart of these seven letters. They are very useful for study:

http://sheridanvoice.com/blog/2012/05/pauls-letters-to-the-body-of-christ/

Part 7. The Crown Rights Realized

Revelation

Let us study this precious volume God has given us. The outline of the Hebrew Scriptures is the order that the Lord Jesus approved in Luke 24. The outline of the Greek Scriptures required some work. “Our English Bibles follow the order given in the Latin Vulgate. This order, therefore, depends on the arbitrary judgment of one man, Jerome. All theories based on this order rest on human authority, and are thus without any true foundation.” EW Bullinger. The Greek Scripture outline provided here is based on time and subject, while recognizing the principle of right division. I personally believe this is the most accurate layout of the Greek Scriptures I have known. I hope this is useful to you.

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The Dispensational Position of Romans 11

Posted on May 19, 2012 by dsheridan

Abrahamic Blessings or Mystery

The mystery that Paul speaks about in Ephesians and Colossians was hidden away from the ages and generations and hidden in God. Before this mystery was revealed, blessings for the Jews and Gentiles were Abrahamic and millennial in character. Not only that, the Gentiles were blessed through Israel or not at all.

Paul’s letter to the Romans contains doctrinal truth that is just as valid today as when first written. However, it contains dispensational teaching that passed away with the pentecostal period.

The Jew First

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek…Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16-17; 2:9-10.

The term “Jew first” has to do with precedence, not just historical order. This is characteristic of the millennium. “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.” Zech. 8:23. See also Zech. 14:12-21 and Is. 60-61. As long as Israel is in covenant relation with God and Jerusalem their city – “the Jew first” is the proper order. Gentiles came to Jerusalem to worship and were linked with the believing remnant through baptism.

The Jew Wasn’t Better

All sinned. Jew and Gentile. Romans 3 makes it abundantly clear that the Jew wasn’t better. Dispensational privilege didn’t alter the state of a Jew. He too needed a Savior from sin. But that didn’t change the fact that God gave him special promises. What differes the Jew from the Gentile isn’t racial, but promises. For more information see this article:

http://sheridanvoice.com/blog/2012/05/the-difference-between-a-jew-and-a-gentile-not-racial/

The Acts Period and Romans 11

Romans 11 has been greatly misunderstood. Once we understand it, we will better grasp what was going on during Acts and Paul’s Acts-period letters. Many people who recognize Paul’s unique ministry have a hard time dealing with this chapter as well as Paul’s many Old Testament quotations in his Acts-period writings. What is their problem? They assume the dispensational position of Romans is the same as Ephesians.

Romans 11 uses the figure of the Olive Tree. It says Gentiles are wild olive branches. This isn’t the same thing as the “one body” of Ephesians. So what have many attempted to teach? They interpret this passage to mean the Gentiles “as such” are meant in Romans 11. They do this to avoid what looks like a contradiction. However, the truth taught in Romans 11 is the same truth that is taught in Galatians 3. What is it? That the believing Gentiles up to Acts 28:28 were blessed with faithful Abraham, the father of many nations.

The Olive Tree

The remnant of Israel was saved from Israel’s apostasy by electing grace. They were the good olive tree. The believing Gentiles were grafted into this olive tree. The believing Jews were called a “firstfruit” (16) which is a pledge of the harvest of “all Israel” (26). The believing Gentiles are said to receive “salvation” (11), they “stand by faith” (20), and partake of the “root and fatness of the olive tree” (17) with the remnant of Israel.

The Gentiles can’t mean Gentiles “as such,” as has been commonly taught. No one can say the “pagan” Gentiles stand by faith or enjoy the blessings of Romans 11.

The Hope Of Israel’s Kingdom

The blessings of the Acts period were Abrahamic. The hope of the Acts period was the hope of Israel’s kingdom. Once we grasp this we can better understand Paul’s quotations of the Old Testament in Romans, Corinthians, Galatians and Thessalonians. We won’t have to reinterpret them to make them fit our theology. Remember the principle: If we don’t rightly divide the word of truth we will come to a passage of Scripture that we will either ignore or modify. I myself modified Paul’s Acts period letters to make them mean something they didn’t.

We can’t read into Romans 11 what hasn’t been revealed. We can’t read Ephesians back into Romans.

The Gospel of Grace Isn’t The Secret

Justification by faith isn’t a mystery that was hidden away from the ages and generations, and, hidden in God. The mystery of the one body is – (Eph 3 “hid in God”; Co. 1 “hidden away from the ages and generations”). The gospel of grace was preached before to Abraham. If we confuse the gospel of grace with the mystery we will create confusion. We will blend truths God has separated. Compare Romans 11 with Galatians 3:

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Galatians 3:9

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 – This is the same truth as Romans 11.

And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29

But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Galatians 4:26

New Jerusalem is an Abrahamic blessing. But after Acts 28 that hope was put on hold. Instead of looking for a city which comes down from God out of heaven, believers in Paul’s gospel of the dispensation of the mystery, as proclaimed in Ephesians and Colossians, are blessed with every blessing that can be called spiritual IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ. Their citizenship is IN HEAVEN. Philippians 3:20 Ephesians 1:4.

Conclusion

1. Acts 28:28 is the boundary line between the present and past dispensation.
2. The letters written during Acts still contain much that is still true, but they also contain much that belongs to a past dispensation.
3. The Acts period was Abrahamic – not the Church, which is His body.

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The Difference Between A Jew and A Gentile – Not Racial

Posted on May 19, 2012 by dsheridan

The Difference Between Jew and Gentile

The Jew and Gentile are different. But the difference has nothing to do with RACE, but PROMISES. The Jews descended from Shem. They are called Hebrews because they descended from Eber – (See Genesis 10-11). The Arabs also descend from the same root. The PROMISES went from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob and to the 12 sons of Jacob.

Paul says this of the Jews: They are “Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the PROMISES; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 9:4-5.

Paul says of the Gentiles: “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and guests to the covenants of PROMISE, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:11-12.

Paul wrote Romans during the Acts period. There was no difference between the Jew and the Gentile so far as sin and justification were concerned. Both sinned and fall short of God’s glory. But, as to position, the Jew was first. In Romans 1:16-17 the Jew was first in the gospel; in Romans 2 he was first in responsibility. Look at the passage in Ephesians 2 to further illustrate: The Gentiles were without God because God was the God of Israel (Genesis 17). They were without hope because God gave a specific hope to Israel, it was “the hope of Israel” (Romans 15:17 and Acts 28:20). Gentiles partook of Israel’s spiritual things.

But NOW!

Ephesians teaches that this position has changed. In the Church, which is His body, there is no difference in position. The middle wall of partition has been broken down. The gospel of peace is proclaimed to those who are far off and near – that is, the believing Jew and Gentile. Ephesians presents good news to those who already have life! It is a gospel for those who already believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The good news is that both Jews and Gentiles who believe the mystery proclaimed by Paul the Prisoner are members of a joint-body. They are blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ, not on earth or in Abraham.

The Gentile is not longer disadvantaged in flesh, neither is the Jew privileged in flesh. Ephesians gives both Jew and Gentile something better – IN SPIRIT! “Blessed (Speak well of, brag about, shout his name with adoration) be the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us!”

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Three Great Divisions

Posted on May 19, 2012 by dsheridan

Time: 1) Genesis 1-11; 2) Genesis 12 – Acts 28; 3) Last Seven Letters of Paul
Places of Blessing: 1) Earth; 2) The Heavens/New Jerusalem; 3) The Heavenly Places
Titles of Christ: 1) Christ as King; 2) Christ as Bridegroom; 3) Christ as Head
Which Hope is Yours?: The hope of Israel; The Hope of the Church of God in Acts; The Hope of the Church which is His Body.

002TheThreeGreatDivisions

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Hope: Which One Is Yours?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by dsheridan

The Hope of Israel

The hope of Israel is to be resurrected and possess the land promised to their fathers. They were given circumcision, the law and ordinances that segregated them from the nations. There is nothing in the Old Testament about anyone going to heaven or having a hope in heaven. They have the “adoption” on earth – see Romans 9:1-5.

The Hope of the Church During Acts

The hope of the Church of God during Acts was to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Then they immediately come back with Him to the earth where He sets up His kingdom. This church was made up of both Jew and Gentile. The Jew had a priority. “The Jew first” was the order of that Church. There were two faiths and two gospels. The middle wall of partition was between them. They all observed baptism; but only the Jews observed the law and took part in the Passover. There is nothing in the Scriptures before Acts 28 about anyone going to heaven or having a hope in heaven. They have the “adoption” and look forward to the New Jerusalem – see Galatians 4 and Hebrews 12.

The Hope of the Body of Christ

The hope of the Church, which is His body, is to have an earlier resurrection. They will be manifested with Christ in the heavenly places where Christ now sits – Col. 3:1-4. This is the coronation of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. This happens before both the hope of Israel and the hope of the Church of God in Acts. They have the “adoption” and will enjoy it in the heavenly places – See Ephesians 1.

What About Those Who Aren’t In Any Of These Groups?

The only people left are those among the nations from Adam onward who believe God. The malefactor, Naaman the Syrian, and the Syro-Phonecian woman are examples of those who are among this group. They will appear at the Great White Throne, then, after that, enjoy the new earth. The malefactor asked for a place in the Lord’s kingdom. But the Lord promised him a place in paradise – see Luke 23:42-43. The malefactor couldn’t get a resurrection early enough to enter the kingdom. Paradise is on the new earth. See Job 14:12 and Rev. 21:1, 24-26; 22:1-5

What About Unbelievers?

The first three groups listed above are partakers of a calling. The fourth group are people who have life, but aren’t part of a special calling. But all four groups will be alive during the ages. But Unbelievers will not be made alive until Christ delivers up the kingdom to God – see 1 Cor. 15:20-28. This takes place long after the new heavens and new earth have begun. How long? I have no clue. But why miss out? Believe in God’s Son as your Saviour and have life. Then, believe Paul’s letter to the Ephesians to take part of the highest calling God ever gave to people.

WHICH HOPE IS YOURS? It must be embraced by faith.

Some may wish for more “proof” of what I have written. Please be patient. I will develop this line of teaching in further audios and writings. Search and see. Please think about them before you judge.

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The Key To Scripture: Acts 28:28

Posted on May 16, 2012 by dsheridan

It was a long time before I realized what my hope was; I was confused; Why was the church in Acts so different from the church today?; The last trump resurrection vs. The manifestation in glory; The Key: Acts 28:28; Stealing from the Jews; When you blend truth you nullify truth; Ashamed; Disqualified like Moses; Believing God; You can’t believe God if you don’t know what God said; Do you believe God?; The Scriptures are complete so we don’t need any other sources to learn about God; Paul’s last seven letters.

001TheKey

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