Part 1 of 8 - "Biblical Distinctions" - Key to Bible Interpretation

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Distinction Marks Paul's Epistles.

This series may be considered a supplement to the author's Study Series titled "How to Approach the Bible," written a year before.

This is intended to reinforce the proper method of interpreting the Bible. It is to be interpreted by reading it and studying the Word of God... in context. We will thereby note the significance and dangers of improperly assigning to "the church, which is His body (Eph 1:22b-23a) that which correctly belongs only to the people of the Nation Israel.

A most important key to proper Bible interpretation, or to follow the thought any other book, is to first determine to whom any particular statement is assigned. In fact, whole books of the Bible are directed to or concern one or the other of "the body of Christ" or the nation "Israel." In this study we will determine, to whom and for whom each book of the New Testament is actually addressed and intended, clearly noting how that was determined.

Noting the distinctions between the "Nation Israel" and "the body of Christ" is the key to properly assigning the books of the New Testament and seeing the distinct blessings, promises, and prophecy that concerns only Israel. Then also by contrast we must note the Apostle Paul’s "mystery" (Col 1:27) gospel, called "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) for "the body of Christ" (Eph 3:1-4).

Paul's thirteen epistles to "the body of Christ" are placed together as listed in the index of your Bible. They are inserted or interrupt at the point where Israel fell, decline and was set aside (Rom 11:10-11, 25). Paul's epistles contain the truths of pure grace that will continue to apply to us this day and until "the body of Christ" is Raptured. The Lord then will only turn His attention to fulfill Israel's program that will restart with Tribulation judgment and conclude with the 2nd advent of Christ and His Millennial kingdom reign on earth.

Rom 11:10-11 Let their (Israel's) eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall (Israel's fall) salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Rom 11:25 I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

The matter of Biblical distinction is of no small importance. The burden of "the Law" with its works requirements, under which the Nation Israel was in "time past" and will be in "the ages to come," bears little resemblance and in fact is diametrically opposed to the relationship "the body of Christ" enjoys "now" with the risen Lord under "the dispensation of the grace of God." (Eph 3:2).

Romans 6:14b … for ye (grace believers) ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE.

I believe the improper mingling of "the works of the Law" with "grace" is the great cause of the loss of reality and power in the life of the members of "the body of Christ" and the church at large. Any degree of law negates grace – believers then have "fallen from grace" (Gal 5:4).

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.

Paul warns Timothy in 2Tim 2:15 of the need to study by "rightly dividing the word of truth." In our Bible study we need to understand and note the distinctions  and divide out those things pertaining to Israel from that pertaining to "the body of Christ" as they are noted in the books of the Bible.

E.g., James' epistle  begins with these words. "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes (of Israel) which are scattered abroad, greeting." (James 1:1)

We "rightly divide" the Bible first by noting to whom each book of the Bible is addressed. Just like the mail from the postman, we must receive only the mail only intended for the recipient is noted in the mail. Yes, we may learn something from reading other people’s mail, but if it is not addressed to us and not intended for us as instruction of us, otherwise  we may have a wrong understanding of that mail. We need to be attentive to properly appropriate what we read our study of the written word of God. Only in this way may we properly understand and interpret how a books of the Bible applies, and thus how it does or does not affect our lives as believing Christians during this day of "the dispensation of the grace of God," whereby we are not under the law or any contingency to have God's love and favor... except to have received Christ by "grace through faith."

It's obvious that the Old Testament mostly concerns the call of Abraham, and his lineage, "the children of Israel." When God "called" Abraham, through whom He would one day "bless all the families of the earth," that act of calling Abraham thereby automatically thereby excluded the remainder of humanity that we call "the Gentiles." The word Gentile in the New Testament is the Greek word "ethnos," meaning "the ethnics"; ethnos is used to distinguish Israel from all the other "nations" and "families" of the earth.

The Biblical terms "prophesy" and "mystery," give us another distinction between Israel and the Gentiles. All "prophesy" in the Old Testament concerns Israel and its relationship to the coming Messiah, its judgments and its reign on earth under the Messiah in "the kingdom." The Gentiles had no such prophesy applying to them. Paul tells us the Gentiles "were without hope and without God in the world," they were "strangers and aliens to the promise and covenants" applicable to Israel (Eph 2:6, 12).

Distinctions continues through the time Jesus of Nazareth in His earthly ministry to Israel (Rom 15:8). Jesus said He came ONLY to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt 15:24). Peter was the "the Apostle to the circumcision (Israel)" bringing them "the gospel of the circumcision (Gal 2:7-8). We should note that at Pentecost Peter addressed "Ye men of Israel" (Acts 2:22) and "men of Judah" in early Acts confirming that which was "spoken by all the prophets" (Act 3:24) concerning Israel.

Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of ALL HIS PROPHETS (of Israel), that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

Acts 3:24-25 Yea, and ALL THE PROPHETS from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the "
kindreds of the earth be blessed.

By contrast, Paul’s "the mystery" or "secret" gospel and message that the ascended Lord gave to Paul (Gal 1:12, Eph 3:3) for the "Gentiles" (Eph 3:1-2) had never been prophesied or previously been made known. It "had been Kept Secret Since The World Began" (Rom 16:25) and until it was first revealed to Paul for the Gentiles.

Gal 1:11-12 But I (Paul) certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of (from) Jesus Christ.

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my (Paul’s) gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of THE MYSTERY (musterion, secret), which WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN,
Colossians 1:26-27
Even THE MYSTERY (musterion, secret) WHICH HATH BEEN HID from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Thus, all prophesy distinguishes Israel from the Gentiles, "body of Christ" whose members have no part in Old Testament prophecy. They have no part in the fulfillment of O.T. prophecy... except to be taken out of the way by their Rapture to heaven before it is completely fulfilled.

Whenever we read of any distinction between Jew and Gentile in any particular book of the Bible we know we are reading something from a book written under or concerning "Israel’s program." Thus that information would not apply to "the body of Christ." More than three quarters of our Bible applies to the distinctive and peculiar Nation Israel, being uniquely called of the Lord with promises and covenants applicable to the believers of the nation Israel only.

By contrast, "the body of Christ" under "the dispensation of the grace of God" was not prophesied and is all-inclusive of those who receive the salvation of the Lord "by grace through faith… not of works" (Eph 2:8-9). Those who do are without distinction, being "one in Christ" (Gal 3:28). Today Jews and Gentile are on equal basis before God and are all "as Gentiles," to whom Paul is our Apostle.  "...I (Paul) speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:" (Rom 11:13).

Now let me explain how we, as Gentiles believers today, who are under the terms of “the gospel of the grace of God” are to look at these Books of the Bible that apply to Israel. The entire Bible is “for me” and for my learning. Yet only Paul’s epistle are written “to me” in particular. Paul’s epistles are my source for understanding my relationship with the Lord. I study and view the OT to learn of God’s eternal plan, His nature and character toward all men. I also get incite by the many types and shadows in the OT Scriptures that enlarge our view of the blessings upon all men that flow from His cross. Essentially, I can eat from the whole Bible and not take to myself any words that are contrary to those of my Apostle who defines my grace relationship with the Lord who dwells in my spirit to personally guide my from within.