THE BIBLE HAS APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS — if it is not rightly divided
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJB)
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
[2] A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
[3] A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
[4] A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
[5] A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
[6] A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
[7] A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
[8] A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJB)
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Ecclesiastes is the first Bible book that introduces right division: the 21st (3×7) book. Here is a KJB “hap”**: Ecclesiastes (title means “having to do with church”) states there are different times for everything. The book of 2 Timothy was written by the church age Apostle, Paul, whose writings “fulfil the word of God”.
(Colossians 1:25 KJB)
“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;”
One method to view the Bible is to divide it into seven related time periods called economies, or dispensations. Each time period has common similarities and distinct differences, with all working together in total harmony of consistence.
To have a comprehensive understanding of the Bible, the reader must be a student that diligently compares the similarities and differences, rightly dividing within and between all seven periods.
Right division interpretation does not involve only dividing time periods, it also includes comparing word definitions and considering usage context.
A SAVED PERSON CAN FALL AWAY FROM CHRIST
” 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame”. (Hebrews 6:4-6 KJB)
A SAVED PERSON CANNOT FALL AWAY FROM CHRIST
(Romans 8:38-39 KJB)
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
STRONG DRINK IS RECOMMENDED
(Deuteronomy 14:26 KJB)
And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
STRONG DRINK IS NOT RECOMMENDED
(Leviticus 10:9 KJB)
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
OBSERVE HOLY DAYS
(Exodus 35:2 KJB)
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord : whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
NEVER OBSERVE HOLY DAYS
(Colossians 2:16 KJB)
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days :
THERE ARE JEWS
(Galatians 2:15 KJB)
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
THERE ARE NO JEWS
(Galatians 3:28 KJB)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
AN ISRAELITE IS DUNG
(Philippians 3:5-8 KJB)
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
AN ISRAELITE IS PREFERRED
(Matthew 15:24 KJB)
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
DO NOT GO TO THE GENTILE
(Matthew 10:5 KJB)
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
GO TO THE GENTILE
(Acts 22:21 KJB)
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
(Romans 11:13 KJB)
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
DO NOT EAT PORK
(Deuteronomy 14:8 KJB)
And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
YOU MAY EAT PORK
(1 Timothy 4:2-4 KJB)
“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:”
A MAN IS SAVED BY HIS FAITH
(Habakkuk 2:4 KJB)
“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
A MAN IS NOT SAVED BY HIS FAITH
(Ephesians 2:8 KJB)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
DO NOT KILL A MAN
(Exodus 20:13 KJB)
“Thou shalt not kill.”
KILL A MAN
(Numbers 31:17 KJB)
“Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.”
GOD DOES NOT REPENT
(1 Samuel 15:28-29 KJB)
“And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. [29] And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.”
GOD REPENTS
(Psalm 135:14 KJB)
“For the Lord will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.”
SWEAR
(Deuteronomy 6:13 KJB)
“Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”
DO NOT SWEAR
(Matthew 5:34 KJB)
“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:”
CLEAN OR UNCLEAN UP TO YOU
(Romans 14:14 KJB)
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
CLEAN/UNCLEAN NOT A CHOICE
(Leviticus 11:26-27 KJB)
“The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean. [27] And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.”
GUARANTEED HEALING OF SICKNESS
(James 5:14-15 KJB)
“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: [15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
SICKNESS NOT ABLE TO BE HEALED
(2 Timothy 4:20 KJB)
“Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.”
MEDICINE REQUIRED FOR HEALING
(1 Timothy 5:23 KJB)
“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”
PRAYER REQUESTS ANSWERED
Matthew 21:22 KJB
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
BETTER THAN PRAYER REQUESTS
(Ephesians 3:20 KJB)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
GOD LOVES ALL PEOPLE
(John 3:16 KJB)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
GOD HATES A MAN
(Malachi 1:2-3 KJB)
“I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the Lord : yet I loved Jacob, [3] And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.”
BEING A PART OF CHRIST DEPENDS ON MAN’S EFFORTS
(Hebrews 3:14 KJB)
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”
MAN HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BEING IN CHRIST
(1 Corinthians 12:13 KJB)
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
(1 Corinthians 12:27 KJB)
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
WATER BAPTISM IS NECESSARY FOR REMISSION OF SINS
(Acts 2:38 KJB) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
FAITH IN CHRIST’S BLOOD IS NECESSARY FOR REMISSION OF SINS
(Romans 3:25 KJB) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Those who fail to rightly divide the Bible remind me of an llustration. A Pastor failed to properly study for his message. He decided to just “trust God” to lead him.
Sunday morning at 11:15 AM confidently trusting God, he approached the pulpit, closed his eyes, placed his finger on a verse, and read aloud, “Judas went out and hanged himself”. Somewhat perplexed at this leading from God, he repeated his ‘God-led method’ and read,
“Go thou and do likewise.”
**My friend Tim Green suggested a Bible “hap” is a “providential accident”
Ruth 2:3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.
DAVE REESE—April 2024