From Les Feldick Ministries News Letter Jan 2017
What in the World ~ Questions & Answers from letters
We are repeating the article on Rightly Dividing from the July newsletter, because we got more positive feedback from that one article than all the other put together. We are putting it all on one page so that you can clip it out and keep it handy to re-read at least once a week! It is the answer to most of Christendom's questions. To some of you I will sound like a “broken record” (33 rpm), but if my phone calls are any indication, very few, even Bible students, understand what we mean by Rightly Dividing the Scriptures according to II Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As introduction, I would like to share a phone call. The gentleman had a question on one of the Parables. I responded “So you are a Pharisee?” He said “No! I am not a Pharisee. Why do you ask that?” I told him to look up Matthew 21:45 (And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.) and to read it to me. He read it and in stark shock he exclaimed, “I‘ve never seen that before! The Parables were addressed to the Pharisees?” That is a perfect example of Rightly Dividing. When you read the Parables, realize they were intended primarily for Israel’s Religious leaders!
Consequently, we cannot mix them in with Paul’s Epistles! Another good, plain example is Leviticus 5:5-6 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. That is what the Bible says. But do we obey verse 6? Of course not! It is not addressed to us Gentiles and neither are the 4 gospels or the first 8 chapters of Acts. It is all addressed to Israel. Acts 2:22 “Ye men of Israel…” Acts 2:23 “Let all the house of Israel,” and in Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour and Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Now let’s see the stark difference in the language of our Apostle. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel and Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Lets start with Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. Read it carefully … Whose Gospel? My Gospel and how long did God keep Paul’s gospel secret? Since time began, until Paul’s revelation. And how does Paul put it in the very next verse? BUT NOW! So here is the great Divide!
John 10: 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Galatians 1: 6 ~ 9; 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
If you look closely, both scriptures are making the same statement. The plan of salvation cannot be tampered with, by adding to, or subtracting from. 1 Corinthians 15: 1 ~ 4 The Gospel; 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Stop & think how much stuff Christendom has added to Paul's Gospel - baptism, walking an aisle, speaking in tongues, church membership, catechism, and good works. None of those are in there! It is the same as trying to sneak into a sheepfold other than by the door. What do we do with the thieves and robbers? God will react the same way in both scenarios! It is faith, taking God at His word, plus NOTHING!
Ephesians 2: 8 & 9; 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
What in the World ~ Questions & Answers from letters
We are repeating the article on Rightly Dividing from the July newsletter, because we got more positive feedback from that one article than all the other put together. We are putting it all on one page so that you can clip it out and keep it handy to re-read at least once a week! It is the answer to most of Christendom's questions. To some of you I will sound like a “broken record” (33 rpm), but if my phone calls are any indication, very few, even Bible students, understand what we mean by Rightly Dividing the Scriptures according to II Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As introduction, I would like to share a phone call. The gentleman had a question on one of the Parables. I responded “So you are a Pharisee?” He said “No! I am not a Pharisee. Why do you ask that?” I told him to look up Matthew 21:45 (And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.) and to read it to me. He read it and in stark shock he exclaimed, “I‘ve never seen that before! The Parables were addressed to the Pharisees?” That is a perfect example of Rightly Dividing. When you read the Parables, realize they were intended primarily for Israel’s Religious leaders!
Consequently, we cannot mix them in with Paul’s Epistles! Another good, plain example is Leviticus 5:5-6 And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. That is what the Bible says. But do we obey verse 6? Of course not! It is not addressed to us Gentiles and neither are the 4 gospels or the first 8 chapters of Acts. It is all addressed to Israel. Acts 2:22 “Ye men of Israel…” Acts 2:23 “Let all the house of Israel,” and in Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour and Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Now let’s see the stark difference in the language of our Apostle. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel and Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Lets start with Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. Read it carefully … Whose Gospel? My Gospel and how long did God keep Paul’s gospel secret? Since time began, until Paul’s revelation. And how does Paul put it in the very next verse? BUT NOW! So here is the great Divide!
John 10: 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Galatians 1: 6 ~ 9; 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
If you look closely, both scriptures are making the same statement. The plan of salvation cannot be tampered with, by adding to, or subtracting from. 1 Corinthians 15: 1 ~ 4 The Gospel; 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Stop & think how much stuff Christendom has added to Paul's Gospel - baptism, walking an aisle, speaking in tongues, church membership, catechism, and good works. None of those are in there! It is the same as trying to sneak into a sheepfold other than by the door. What do we do with the thieves and robbers? God will react the same way in both scenarios! It is faith, taking God at His word, plus NOTHING!
Ephesians 2: 8 & 9; 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.