Why must we rightly divide the Bible?

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We are told in 2 Timothy 2:15 that the Bible is to be "rightly divided". Therefore there are divisions in the Bible that God wants us to acknowledge. Contrary to popular opinion, this is not a minor issue. This issue of studying the Bible rightly divided is one that will make our service for God "approved" or unapproved at the Judgement Seat of Christ after the rapture.

The Judgement Seat of Christ is one of the main focuses of the Christian life. Look at what Paul has to say about the Judgement Seat of Christ....

1 Corinthians 3:
[9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
[10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Romans 14:
[8] For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
[9] For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
[10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
[11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
[12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The Judgement Seat of Christ is where the Lord let's every Christian know what He thinks of their service for Him. If you believe that you have a great ministry that is well pleasing to the Lord, He will let you know if that is true at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

[ This judgment is not about sin in the believer's life, it is about service. God already judged our sins at the cross, we in our standing in Christ have no sin (Rom. 4:6-8, Col. 2:11, 1 John 3:9). Our sins are covered by the blood of Christ (Acts 13:38-39, Eph. 1:6-7, Col. 1:14, 2:10-13, 1 John 1:7, Rev. 1:5). God's judgment on sin (for the believer) took place at the cross (2 Cor. 5:14-21). ]

Therefore "rightly dividing the word of truth" is going to be central in our Christian life if we want our service approved at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Part 2 coming soon

James White and the Big Deal KJV Video Series - Dr. Sam Gipp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRIIRPkkQGw

1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Is 1 Corinthians 13:8 referring to the completion of scripture or something else? I believe that the Bible teaches that it is referring to the completion of scripture. However, some teach that it is referring to either the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennial Reign of Christ, or when the believer dies and goes to heaven.

Here is why I believe it is referring to the completion of scripture.....

1 Corinthians 13:

[8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

There is our verse. Prophecies, tongues, and supernatural giving of knowledge would cease according to Paul. The issue is when would this occur.

[9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

Paul states that the supernatural giving of knowledge and prophecies were only PARTIAL revelations, not complete. 
 

[10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

In contrast to the partial revelations of tongues and prophecy, Paul states that something PERFECT will come. When that perfect/complete revelation comes, then the partial revelations of tongues and prophecies will be done away. Now we must conclude what the revelation that is "perfect" is. Is it the Second Coming of Christ, the Millennium, or when the believer gets to heaven? Or is it the complete scriptures? The context is about having a PERFECTION of what Paul currently only had in PART. That can only be applied to the word of God. Paul did not partially have the Second Coming of Christ waiting to have the complete event. Nor did he partially have the millennial kingdom waiting for a complete one. The context is receiving WORDS from God through tongues and prophecies.   

[11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

This statement by Paul further proves that he is referring to the completion of the word of God. Becoming a "man" rather than a "child" has to do with the SCRIPTURES, not the Second Coming or Millennium. That is how Paul uses the phrases in the very next chapter.....

1 Corinthians 14:
[20] Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
[21] In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Knowing the word of God is what makes you a "man" rather than a "child"!

2 Timothy 3:
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

1 Corinthians 3:
[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1 Peter 2:
[1] Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Hebrews 5:
[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

[12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.



This further proves the point. Paul compares having partial revelations (tongues/prophecies) to looking into a glass darkly. But when the perfect revelation comes (the word of God), that will be like looking into the glass clearly, it will no longer be dark. Then he will be able to see himself (reflection) clearly. James talks about the word of God in the same way using a mirror as an example.

James 1:
[21] Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
[22] But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
[23] For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
[24] For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
[25] But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The gifts of giving someone the word of God through tongues (human languages), prophecies, and visions ceased when God gave man the last book of the Bible.

NKJV errors and corruption

Here is a brief look at the many errors and corruptions that are found in the New "King James" Version. As you can see, it would be in your best interest to stick with the inspired King James Bible rather than a fake pretender. Here are 12 errors.

1.) No studying in the NKJV.

NKJV 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

KJB 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2.) No worshiping Christ in the NKJV.

NKJV  Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

KJB Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

3.) No warning about keeping a good testimony in the  NKJV. A Christian does not only need to abstain from evil, he needs to quit looking like he is doing evil.

NKJV 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

KJB 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

4.) No warning against false science in the NKJV.

NKJV 1 Timothy 6:20  O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—

KJB 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

5.) No warning against corrupting the word of God in the NKJV.

NKJV 2 Corinthians 2:17  For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. 

KJB 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

6.) The NKJV attacks the doctrine of the eternal security and sanctification of the believer.

NKJV Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

KJB Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

7.) The NKJV exalts Mary, a Roman Catholic trick. (and note that only the KJB quotes Isaiah 7:14 correctly, "a virgin shall conceive"....not "THE virgin")

NKJV Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

KJB Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

8.) The NKJV inserts harder words into the text by transliterating rather than  translating. 

NKJV 1 Kings 10:28 Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh; the king’s merchants bought them in Keveh at the current price.

KJB 1 Kings 10:28 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.

9.) The NKJV attacks the Deity of Christ and His equality with God. (John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.)

ATTACKING THE DEITY OF CHRIST

NKJV
--Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
--Acts 3:26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
--Acts 4:27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 
--Acts 4:30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

KJB
--Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
--Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
--Acs 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
--Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

10.) The NKJV attacks the doctrine of God's faithfulness to the believer and that we are justified and kept saved by His unwavering faith to the members of the Church which is His body. (2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.)

DESTROYING THE DOCTRINE OF ETERNAL SECURITY BY THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

NKJV 
--Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
--Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
--Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
--Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
--Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
 --Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

KJB
--Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
--Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
--Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
--Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
--Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
--Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

11.) When a believer trusts Christ believing the Gospel of the Grace of God, he is saved and given the righteousness of Christ. Which means, every believer has the spiritual standing (in Christ) of being just as righteous as Christ (Rom. 3:21-26, 1 Cor. 1:30, 2 Cor. 5:21, 1 John 3:9). However, the NKJV says that we only get righteousnes "from" God, not the righteousness "OF" God. That is a big difference!

NKJV Philippians 3:9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

KJB Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

12.) The NKJV capitalizes the "h" in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 to promote the heresy that the Holy Ghost is not present on the earth during the Tribulation. The "h" should not have been capitalized because the Holy Ghost is on the earth during the Tribulation according to Revelation 5:6, And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

The restrainer is clearly the Church which is Christ's Body (1 Thes. 1:10, 5:9, Rom.5:9, 11:25). That is the "he" (Eph. 2:15, 4:13). 

ATTACKING THE OMNIPRESENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST

NKJV 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

KJB 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
 


 

Kingdom of Heaven vs the Kingdom of God

There is much debate over the issue of whether of not the "Kingdom of Heaven" and the "Kingdom of God" are different types of Kingdoms. The Amillennialists insist that they are the same while the dispensational Premillennialists believe that there is a distinction. 

We Premillennialists believe that the Kingdom of Heaven is God's heavenly Kingdom that will come to the earth as prophesied in Psalms 2, Isaiah 2, Isaiah 11, Isaiah 60-66, Micah 4, Joel 3, Jeremiah 23, Jeremiah 30-33, etc. This is the Kingdom which Christ spoke of in His model prayer for the Jewish believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matt. 6:10)" Also see Matthew 5:34-35, 19:28-30, 24:1-25:46. The Kingdom of Heaven is a very specific term that always refers to the heavenly Kingdom of God coming to the EARTH, Jerusalem to be precise (Jer. 23:5, Matt. 5:35, Matt. 19:28-30, Isa. 2:1-4). Note: the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" is only used 32 times in the Bible, all in the book of Matthew.

We believe that the Kingdom of God is a much broader term, one that can refer to anything of which God has ownership. It is used in a general sense to refer to all that God has created and owns, such as in Psalms 103:19 "The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all." However, the main distinction of the Kingdom of God is its use in being applied to the literal SPIRITUAL Kingdom of God that you enter upon being born again. For example,

Luke 17:
[20] And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
[21] Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

John 3:

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

 

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

 

The literal SPIRITUAL Kingdom of God is never referred to as "the Kingdom of Heaven". Check all the references, the phrase is always used in regards to the literal physical Kingdom coming to the earth from Heaven. But note carefully that the phrase "Kingdom of God" is often used to refer to the Kingdom of Heaven, for it certainly is God's Kingdom. In other words, the Kingdom of Heaven is sometimes referred to as the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom of God (spiritual kingdom) is never referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

That is why some people refuse to believe that there is a distinction between the terms, because sometimes the phrase "Kingdom of God" is used in place of "Kingdom of Heaven". However, the phrase "Kingdom of God" is obviously not always the same thing as the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven requires good works to enter into, the Kingdom of God (spiritual kingdom) only requires being born of the Spirit. 

 

GOOD WORKS AND WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE PHYSICAL EARTHLY "KINGDOM OF HEAVEN", ALSO CALLED THE KINGDOM OF GOD.  

 

Matthew 5:

[1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
[2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
[3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:

[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:

[16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
[17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
[18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
[19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[20] The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
[22] But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
[23] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
[24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
[25] When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
[26] But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
[29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
[30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

 

Good works are required to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, however, to enter into the Kingdom of God (spiritual) all you need is to believe on Christ being born again.

 

John 1:

[11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
[12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

John 3:

[1] There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
[2] The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

Ephesians 5:

[24] Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
[25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
[26] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

 

The physical Kingdom of Heaven can suffer violence (Matt. 11:11-14) but the spiritual Kingdom of God cannot (Rom. 14:17, Luke 17:20-21). 

 

For more information about this subject, I recommend The Sure Word Of Prophecy by Dr. Peter Ruckman  http://store.kjv1611.org/the-sure-word-of-prophecy/