05/16/2024
How Firm A Foundation
2024 Bluegrass Bible Conference
In our current climate, some find themselves seeking answers to many questions. Some questions are legitimate while others are only asked to gender strifes. While some search for those answers they may stumble across “new teachings” that seem to offer a “new hope”. The offered hope, however, is only a religious system with a “grace” bow attached to it. Whether it is an appeal to authority, definist fallacy, straw man fallacy, or some other logical fallacy, these new teachings are convoluted, oppressive, and destructive. Each of them is based solely on moving the believer from the foundation that has been set. They may offer a “better” reward, a “fresher understanding”, an “out-of-the-box type of thinking”, or “some new thing” that you can only learn from that speaker. You may be put down, talked down to, or the speaker may say, “If you understood this like I do, then you would …”
This is when we should go back to the foundation laid by Paul, our only Apostle. Paul is the one God appointed to teach us what to know, how to live, and what to look forward to. In the past, there has been the loss of Pauline truth. However, there has always been an eventual recovery of truth due to a small remnant holding fast to the foundation. The problem we see now is the abandonment of Pauline truth by self-proclaimed“Mid-Acts Dispensationalists”. The pattern of loss is being repeated by those who claim to rightly divide the scriptures which is not something we should be shocked to see. Many were falling away from the truth during Paul’s lifetime.
Here is our foundation.
Romans 1-5 Justification
Romans 6-8 Identification
Romans 9-11 Dispensational Change Explained
Romans 12-16 Sanctification
Justification - These chapters cover the gospel delivered to Paul. In Romans chapters 1 - 3, we read that God has concluded all under sin that He may have mercy on all. In Romans 4, we read how God can justify someone and will no longer impute their sins to them the moment they believe. Now, He rather imputes unto them His righteousness. In Romans chapter 5 we read that we have judicial peace with God and have a standing that we could not have had in any prior dispensation. We read in these chapters that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but Christ in His perfect obedience purchased salvation, righteousness, forgiveness, and eternal life for those who trust solely on His finished work as He shed His blood for us. The moment we trust in Christ's shed blood, we are declared righteous and justified. We are taken out of Adam and placed into living union with Christ.
Identification - These chapters cover the identification truths of who we are because we are “in Christ”. The doctrines contained are true about us no matter what. In Romans 6 we are told we are free from sin. Sin no longer has control over us, but we have the power to choose not to sin. We have the ability to do so because of who we are in Christ. In Romans 7 we are told we are free from the law. We are no longer held to the law, we are no longer judged by the law, and we are no longer to live according to the law. In Romans 8 we are told that we are free from the flesh. We are no longer in bo***ge to do what the flesh wants to do, but rather we are free to live after the Spirit. Everything we read in these chapters are things we currently possess. These are not things we must work toward or work to gain.
Dispensational Change Explained - These chapters deal with the question, “What about Israel?” If the truths found in the first eight chapters are true; which they are, then what about the rest of the Bible before Romans? Do we throw all of that out? God forbid. In these chapters we see why God has changed the way in which He deals with man, not on the basis of blessing a nation, but rather through the blood of Christ. Paul teaches us that God is not completely setting Israel aside forever, but that the program will continue. With that in mind many of the terrible doctrines that proceed out of these chapters are easily dealt with. We are not replacement Israel, neither are we spiritual Israel. God will continue the plan to set up His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom on the earth one day, but He is currently delaying that coming. These passages clearly let us see this principle on display.
Sanctification - These chapters deal with the application of the doctrine in every detail of our life. Paul reminds us that based on the mercies of God, which he has just spent 11 chapters outlining for us, we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. (Romans 12) We are to use this information by renewing our mind and thinking the way God thinks about us, the Body of Christ (Romans 14), and the world around us (Romans 14-16). In these chapters (12-16) we are told how the life we now have in Christ will work in every aspect of our lives. This will all culminate at the judgment seat of Christ, where we will be rewarded for the work that Christ has done in us.
We look forward to seeing you in June.
Grace and Peace
