Now we will exam Herb Evans big scary article that all of us Mid-Acts Dispensationalist are so scared of. (his article in red, my comments in black)
THEY ARE MAD!
John 1:11, 12 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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:
Mid Acts Dispensationalism makes a big ado about Gentile salvation versus Jewish salvation. They make their first huge mistake of not understanding that receiving Christ qualifies one to be a son of God or child of God BEFORE THE CROSS.
Hmm. "Receiving Christ qualifies one to be a son of God or child of God BEFORE THE CROSS". This is true (John 1:12). To "receive Christ" you had to receive Christ's teaching and commandments in the gospels. Notice that you did not receive Christ if you did not sell all that you had.
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.
[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.
Did you see that? The young dude with the money did not follow Christ and did not receive Him because he did not sell all. Look down a little further in Matthew 19.
[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.
[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.
Peter and the twelve had received Christ and followed Him by selling all. Christ was the minister of the circumcision in the Gospel records according to Romans 15:8 "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers". Christ was confirming the OT and not revealing the mystery of this present age. Notice those that received Christ received earthly blessings in an earthly kingdom.
Herb Evans says that you can become a son of God by "receiving Christ". That is completely obvious and true for the gospels and is true now. But the truth of the matter is that "receiving Christ" is rather vague. How did Christ tell the rich dude with the money that he could receive eteranal life?
"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.....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"
How did Christ tell us to receive eternal life and become a son of God?
Romans 4:4-5 " Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Terms like "believe on Christ" and "receive Christ" are very vague. The rich dude with the money obviously did not believe on Christ because he did not sell all and therefore did not receive Christ. If Christ is telling you to sell all that you have, endure to the end, or get baptized, then if you believe on Him you will do that. (or else you did not believe Him or what He told you to do to receive eternal life and become a son of God) Just look at John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
That is true for the "gospel of the kingdom" that required people to sell all, get baptized, and endure to the end, but Paul told us in the age of grace that we "worketh not" as we saw in Romans 4:5-6. Therefore, our gospel requires no works and we just believe our gospel and trust Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:13). The believers in the gospels had to believe the kingdom gospel and do the works in it. I am glad I am in the age of grace i.e. it is more lazy man friendly.
Herb Evans says that Mid-Acts Dispensationalist have a problem with accepting "Receiving Christ qualifies one to be a son of God or child of God BEFORE THE CROSS", but I have no problem with it at all. Let's see what else Herb has to share.
MAD is a form of hyperdispensationalism, which is promoted by Terry McClean, one of its chief promoters, in his newsletter “McNuggets.” MAD relies heavily on the semi-silence of the Pre-Pauline scriptures in regard to Gentile salvation. MAD is really an extension of Cornelius Stam and Bullinger type Hyper-dispensationalism. Hyperdispensationalists are called by other names such as Bereans, Pauline Followers, Grace Believers, and Right Dividers.
"Hyperdispensationalist" is always in the eye of the beholder. MAD does rely "heavily on the semi-silence of the Pre-Pauline scriptures in regard to Gentile salvation". That is true, but "semi-silence" is an understatement.....it was a mystery that Gentiles could be on equal terms with Jews as far as spiritual blessings go and there not being any advantage being a Jew. Look at Ephesians 3.
[2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
[3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
[7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Gentiles being "fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" was a complete mystery! (not just a "semi silence")
If a Gentiles wanted to get saved pre-cross he had to become a Jewish proselyte. In fact, Christ was only sent to Jews during the gospels. If a Gentile came up they had to beg like a dog if they wanted anything. See Matthew 15.
[22] And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
[23] But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
[24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[25] Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
[26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
[27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
[23] But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
[24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[25] Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
[26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
[27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
Again, Christ "was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers". Of course MAD acknowledges this and rejoices in the fact that now there is neither Jew nor Greek and that we can become Abraham's seed by becoming in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29) without works (Eph. 2:8-9). MAD loves to acknowledge and rejoice in Ephesians 2 which tells us how this was made possible.
Ephesians 2:
[11] 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;
[12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
[17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
That is great is it not? So YES, Mid-Acts Dispensationalism relies heavily on this.
[12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
[17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
That is great is it not? So YES, Mid-Acts Dispensationalism relies heavily on this.
Much of Hyperdispensationalism rejects the Great commission, water baptism, and even the Lord’s Supper for this present dispensation and even tends to hold to dual churches in Acts, namely, the Jewish Church and the Gentile church, each with different plans of salvation for each church.
I reject Mark 16 as the "great commission" for the age of grace since there is no sign gifts of to the Jews anymore, water baptism is not part of the gospel anymore, and I really do not want to stick my hand anywhere near a copperhead. I do believe in getting the gospel of grace to the whole world though. (1 Cor. 1:17-22, 13:8)
I am MAD and I believe in water baptism and very much so the Lord's Supper. There were to churches in Acts according to Galatians 2:7-8 "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:). About the different gospels, at Acts 15 it was settled that people would be saved by hearing the gospel and trusting Christ in your heart without works which is in accordance with Eph.1:13. (Acts 15:7-11)
Most Hyperdispensationalists teach that the Gentile Church must use only the Pauline epistles for doctrinal belief and practice.
Correct, MAD acknowledges that Paul was the one that got the revelation of the mystery and he is the one that spoke to us Gentiles about it and so we are told to follow him. (Romans 11:13, Ephesians 3:1-7) All scripture is for us (Rom. 15:4) but it is not all written to us.
1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ"
MAD gymnastics, in regard to the word “Gospel” or good news or glad tidings, forces multiple gospels and multiple plans of salvation not only into the O.T. but also into the four Gospels and Book of Acts per their Mid Acts Dispensational repertoire.
This true. God has had many gospels. There is the "gospel of the kingdom" which is for those believers who are destined for the earthly kingdom where Christ sits on His thrown. These kingdom believers have to endure to the end of the tribulation period without accepting the mark of the beast. You must also sell all that you have, which is not a problem since you will not be able to swap, buy, or sell in the tribulation period anyway without taking the mark. You know, Jesus said a rich man can not enter the kingdom of God because he did not obey the gospel of the kingdom by selling all and he more than likely took the mark of the beast. Here are the references to the "gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14) here the references to "selling all" (Matt. 6:25-26, 19:16-29, Acts 2:38-45, 3:6, 4:34-35, 5:1-11, Mark 10:21, Luke 12:23-33, 18:22) references to "endure to the end" (Matt. 10:22, Rev. 13:16-17, 14:9-11, 15:2). Also included water baptism (John 1:33, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38)
Paul's gospel is clearly different in that it included no works and all you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ as the Son of God came and died for your sins, was buried, and rose again.
1 Corinthians 15:
[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:
Herb Evans has said that this is not a complete gospel since He says it does not include "repentance". Repentance is a change of mind, and all the repentance you need to get saved is to change your mind and realize that you are a sinner. As you can see, the passage says "died for our sins" so it does include repentance. If you believe that gospel and trust Christ you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and have partook of Christ's death and are made part of the spiritual body of Christ by the cross. (Eph. 1:13, 2:13-20, 3:6, 1 Cor. 10:17, Rom. 4:5-6, Gal. 3:1-4) This gospel does not include works (Eph. 1:13, Rom. 4:5-6, Gal. 3:1-4, Eph. 2:8-9, Tit. 3:5, 2 Tim. 1:9-10).
Hyperdispensationalism, whether it starts with the church in Acts 2 (Pentecost), Acts 9, Acts 13, or Acts 28, is still Hyperdispensationalism.
Again, "hyperdispensationalist" is in the eye of the beholder. "Church" means a called out assembly and God has had those all through the OT (Acts 7:38). The "body of Christ" where there is neither Jew nor Gentile is also called "the church" because it is a called out assembly (Eph. 2:6). The body of Christ was a mystery revealed through Paul and part of a dispensation given through Paul (Eph. 3:1-7) and so the body of Christ started with Paul in Acts 9 (that is why it is called "Mid-Acts Dispensationalism" MAD).
1 Timothy 1:
[12] And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
[14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
[15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
[16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul was the first one in the body of Christ for a pattern to all believers from then on that believed the gospel of the grace of God.
MAD totally ignores the successive and progressive revelation of the salvation theme throughout the scripture, old, new, and transitional, while rejecting the culmination of such biblical revelation in John the Baptist’s preaching the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the WORLD. Nevertheless, the Bible message of salvation winds its way through successive, progressive, transitional phases, and application throughout the Bible. By ignoring this progressive revelation, MAD fails to produce anything but a vague, nebulous assumption and innuendo, without any specific proof texts, as to where its dispensation specifically begins, the noteworthy weakness of its unscriptural and extra-scriptural doctrine.
I have no idea what Herb is trying to say. Jesus took away the sin of the world and became the last sacrifice that would ever be needed as seen clearly in the book of Hebrews. So what? And what in the world does Herb mean by "successive and progressive revelation of the salvation theme throughout the scripture....the Bible message of salvation winds its way through successive, progressive, transitional phases, and application throughout the Bible.". Yes there have been different gospels throughout the Bible, but it is not all the same gospel that just went through "transitional phases". Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
To be continued......
I reject Mark 16 as the "great commission" for the age of grace since there is no sign gifts of to the Jews anymore, water baptism is not part of the gospel anymore, and I really do not want to stick my hand anywhere near a copperhead. I do believe in getting the gospel of grace to the whole world though. (1 Cor. 1:17-22, 13:8)
I am MAD and I believe in water baptism and very much so the Lord's Supper. There were to churches in Acts according to Galatians 2:7-8 "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:). About the different gospels, at Acts 15 it was settled that people would be saved by hearing the gospel and trusting Christ in your heart without works which is in accordance with Eph.1:13. (Acts 15:7-11)
Most Hyperdispensationalists teach that the Gentile Church must use only the Pauline epistles for doctrinal belief and practice.
Correct, MAD acknowledges that Paul was the one that got the revelation of the mystery and he is the one that spoke to us Gentiles about it and so we are told to follow him. (Romans 11:13, Ephesians 3:1-7) All scripture is for us (Rom. 15:4) but it is not all written to us.
1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ"
MAD gymnastics, in regard to the word “Gospel” or good news or glad tidings, forces multiple gospels and multiple plans of salvation not only into the O.T. but also into the four Gospels and Book of Acts per their Mid Acts Dispensational repertoire.
This true. God has had many gospels. There is the "gospel of the kingdom" which is for those believers who are destined for the earthly kingdom where Christ sits on His thrown. These kingdom believers have to endure to the end of the tribulation period without accepting the mark of the beast. You must also sell all that you have, which is not a problem since you will not be able to swap, buy, or sell in the tribulation period anyway without taking the mark. You know, Jesus said a rich man can not enter the kingdom of God because he did not obey the gospel of the kingdom by selling all and he more than likely took the mark of the beast. Here are the references to the "gospel of the kingdom" (Matt. 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14) here the references to "selling all" (Matt. 6:25-26, 19:16-29, Acts 2:38-45, 3:6, 4:34-35, 5:1-11, Mark 10:21, Luke 12:23-33, 18:22) references to "endure to the end" (Matt. 10:22, Rev. 13:16-17, 14:9-11, 15:2). Also included water baptism (John 1:33, Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38)
Paul's gospel is clearly different in that it included no works and all you have to do is believe that Jesus Christ as the Son of God came and died for your sins, was buried, and rose again.
1 Corinthians 15:
[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:
Herb Evans has said that this is not a complete gospel since He says it does not include "repentance". Repentance is a change of mind, and all the repentance you need to get saved is to change your mind and realize that you are a sinner. As you can see, the passage says "died for our sins" so it does include repentance. If you believe that gospel and trust Christ you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and have partook of Christ's death and are made part of the spiritual body of Christ by the cross. (Eph. 1:13, 2:13-20, 3:6, 1 Cor. 10:17, Rom. 4:5-6, Gal. 3:1-4) This gospel does not include works (Eph. 1:13, Rom. 4:5-6, Gal. 3:1-4, Eph. 2:8-9, Tit. 3:5, 2 Tim. 1:9-10).
Hyperdispensationalism, whether it starts with the church in Acts 2 (Pentecost), Acts 9, Acts 13, or Acts 28, is still Hyperdispensationalism.
Again, "hyperdispensationalist" is in the eye of the beholder. "Church" means a called out assembly and God has had those all through the OT (Acts 7:38). The "body of Christ" where there is neither Jew nor Gentile is also called "the church" because it is a called out assembly (Eph. 2:6). The body of Christ was a mystery revealed through Paul and part of a dispensation given through Paul (Eph. 3:1-7) and so the body of Christ started with Paul in Acts 9 (that is why it is called "Mid-Acts Dispensationalism" MAD).
1 Timothy 1:
[12] And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
[13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
[14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
[15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
[16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul was the first one in the body of Christ for a pattern to all believers from then on that believed the gospel of the grace of God.
MAD totally ignores the successive and progressive revelation of the salvation theme throughout the scripture, old, new, and transitional, while rejecting the culmination of such biblical revelation in John the Baptist’s preaching the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the WORLD. Nevertheless, the Bible message of salvation winds its way through successive, progressive, transitional phases, and application throughout the Bible. By ignoring this progressive revelation, MAD fails to produce anything but a vague, nebulous assumption and innuendo, without any specific proof texts, as to where its dispensation specifically begins, the noteworthy weakness of its unscriptural and extra-scriptural doctrine.
I have no idea what Herb is trying to say. Jesus took away the sin of the world and became the last sacrifice that would ever be needed as seen clearly in the book of Hebrews. So what? And what in the world does Herb mean by "successive and progressive revelation of the salvation theme throughout the scripture....the Bible message of salvation winds its way through successive, progressive, transitional phases, and application throughout the Bible.". Yes there have been different gospels throughout the Bible, but it is not all the same gospel that just went through "transitional phases". Romans 11:6 "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
