In the face of increasing opposition, Jude urges his readers to stand true to the body of truth they had previously received. Apparently, some were departing from the faith and beginning to teach contrary to correct doctrine. Jude warned them, in the following verses, of the consequences of their action.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3 ).

The Apostle Paul gave similar instructions to Timothy concerning the truth that had been revealed to and through himself. This is advice that is worthy of consideration in every age or dispensation. We walk a very delicate line as we realize the need to grow in our understanding of the Scriptures, while at the same time, carefully maintaining a hold to our roots. Just as Jude wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to contend for the faith, so, too, must the Church of God continue to stand and contend for that body of truth of which it is the recipient.

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (I Cor. 3:9-15).

In the passage cited above, the Apostle Paul gives a clear word of warning concerning the message to be declared in the Church. Later, to Timothy, he would give instruction to “teach no other doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:3).

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3).

He makes it abundantly clear that that message must be built upon the foundation that he, as the master builder, had laid. This foundation is the message of the glorious Gospel of the Grace of God, as revealed in the Mystery (Eph. 3:1-5; Col. 1:24-26), or as it is commonly referred to in some circles, “the Grace Message.”

This Gospel, first and foremost, presented the risen Lord Jesus Christ in a whole new manner:

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more (2 Cor. 5:16).

Here the Apostle reminds us that we no longer know, or have an intimate relationship with or knowledge of, Jesus Christ “after the flesh” or patterned after the flesh. This would be a reference to the earthly ministry and message of Jesus Christ. Contrary to what some would have us to believe, the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ was chiefly directed to the nation of Israel, namely, the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus sent forth and commanded, saying,

Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel...But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 10:5; 15:24).

Today the emphasis is no longer placed on that earthly ministry and message, but now the emphasis switches to Jesus’ later words - the revelation He gave to the Apostle Paul (Gal. 1:11). (Careful study of the Scriptures shows us that the so-called “Great Commission” has indeed been superceded by the later words given to the Apostle Paul by the Lord following His ascension.) This was a message previously, during the earthly ministry, not made known. It would not be for some time following the ascension of Christ that it would be revealed first to, and then through the Apostle Paul (Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:1-9; Col. 1:15-17). It is a message, that when studied and followed, opens up a whole new understanding of the overall plan and purpose of God. Most importantly, it is a message that in part includes the gospel of salvation. It is not until the writings of the Apostle Paul that we truly learn the full impact and purpose of the cross (Rom. 16:25). It is not until Paul that the death, burial and resurrection are presented in terms of “good news” (1 Cor. 15:1-4) for the entire world. Previously, it was written that Jesus had died for the sins of Israel (Acts 5:31). The cross was preached, not as good news, but, rather, in condemnatory fashion (Acts 2:23; 3:14-15). Through Paul we learn the full impact of the shed blood of Christ.
As the Apostle Paul neared the end of his life, he commented on the fact that many were abandoning him and heading off in new directions:

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia” (2 Tim. 4:10).

Though the Apostle did not indicate why Crescens and Titus had departed, they are linked in the passage to Demus who certainly had separated for reasons other than the Gospel. Without spending a lot of time on a history lesson, suffice it to say that it was not long after Paul’s death that the church basically began to turn its back on the Apostle and his message. Over a period of time, much of that message was lost. First his distinctive ministry and message were devalued until they were all but lost. The result of this was the loss of the pre-tribulational Rapture and the difference between Israel and the Church. Most importantly was the loss of the gospel of salvation by faith alone. An increasingly ritualistic Church that spiritualized much of the Church with Israel replaced all of these.

To some, the Church replaced Israel in God’s overall plan and purpose. (This “Replacement Theology” allowed the mindset that allowed the holocaust and the slaughtering of millions of Jews. The Jews were no longer, and never will be again, be God’s chosen people; hence, they were seen only as the root of all man’s problems and, therefore, expendable.) Some have even drawn the conclusion that with the loss of these truths, society slowly slipped into the long period known as the “dark ages.” But all was not lost and God was still upon His throne.
Leap ahead many years and a recapturing of Paul’s special message began to take place. It would be a recapturing that would transpire, oddly enough, in reverse order.

Martin Luther is often credited with capturing and reigniting the truth of salvation by grace through faith alone. No longer was the Church viewed as the dispenser of God’s saving grace but, rather, man could approach the Heavenly Father apart from the Church, by faith alone. This recaptured truth would set the world on its ear and ignite the reformation resulting in a tremendous period of growth in the Church. This recapturing of Scriptural truth continued with the Reformation-era theologians and beyond. All of these men, despite their differences in doctrine, fanned that tiny flame ignited by Luther.

Men such as John Nelson Darby, founder of the Plymouth Brethren, not only fanned the flame of the Gospel, but also began to recapture other truths of Paul’s distinctive message. It was men such as Darby and Isaac Watts who began to formulate what is referred to as “dispensational truth.”
E.W. Bullinger, Sir Robert Anderson, and Darby not only continued to fan the flame but also gave the dispensational approach to Scripture prominence. In addition, they wrote of the pre-tribulational Rapture and the distinction between Israel and the Church. They turned their backs on “Replacement Theology” and recognized that rather than being replaced, Israel had merely been set aside for a season (Rom. 11:25), but that a day was coming when God would start up His prophetic clock and resume His dealings with Israel. All of the promises made to her were not stripped away and given to the Church but, rather, had been put on hold for a time. Great strides were taken when C.I. Scofield edited and published his study Bible that clearly set forth the dispensational approach to understanding Scripture.

But the journey didn’t end there; it continued to grow through the study and writings of men such as Cornelius Stam, J.C. O’Hair and Charles Baker. It would be through these men that the distinctive message revealed to and through the Apostle Paul would finally and fully be recaptured. Against great opposition, these men boldly took a stand for the truth of the Word of God rightly divided. With great zeal, they built upon the writings and understanding of those who had gone before them, and continued in their own study of the Word of God. Radio became a great medium for propagating their message. (O’Hair had a regular radio broadcast in the Chicago area. Pastor Henry F. Kulp, Altoona, PA, was a pioneer in the fields of both radio and television. He broadcasted both his Sunday morning and evening church services live on the radio. In addition, he had the longest, continuous, religious [over 50 years now] broadcast on television with a weekly half-hour program. During my time as the Pastor of that same church, the program was expanded to a full-hour broadcast of the regularly scheduled morning church service.)

Books were written both for and against what was perceived by some as too radical, as being ultra-dispensationalism; but these men refused to back down. Others, apart from personal or literary contact, were coming to the same conclusions from their own study of the Scriptures. Bible teachers such as Otis Wasson, John LaVier, Dr. Harry Bultema, and many others were boldly proclaiming this recovered truth. Often these men suffered ridicule and open abuse from local clergymen who refused to accept this “new teaching” as being too heretical. But despite opposition, these men stood fast and true. They didn’t shy away from their understanding and convictions but, rather, stood and boldly proclaimed the glorious Gospel of the Grace of God.

The result of this bold proclamation was a congregate firmly grounded in the truth of Scripture. The average church member had a pretty good grasp of their church’s doctrinal positions and could readily answer and defend each position. The admonition given by Paul to the church at Colossae was truly being carried out:

Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Col. 2:7-8).

Move forward a generation or two in time and things seem to have shifted gears. There seems to be a real shift in the mentality of today’s church attendee. New terms such as “post modern,” “emerging,” and “purpose driven” are philosophies being advanced as a way to effectively reach the church of today. Not long ago, a writer noted that in today’s church it’s not what you know that is important but, rather, how you feel. Many Pastors spend their Sunday morning pulpit time ministering on an emotional level rather than the intellectual. Most doctrinal teaching is relegated to Sunday or Wednesday evening services (if there are any). Sunday School is being replaced with more “practical” messages. (It must be pointed out that “evangelistic” style preaching is often done Sunday mornings; there is nothing objectionable to it as this is at the very heart of God. But even this type of preaching cannot totally replace the teaching of sound doctrine.)

It is noted that people are hurting and are in need of Biblical support and guidance. It is said that they don’t need doctrine; they are in need of sound, practical instruction. Large ministries have arisen, based upon this approach, and reaching thousands each week. Sadly, the result of this preaching/teaching philosophy is that the average congregate feels better but is doctrinally ignorant. The fact is, the light-hearted answer to the question, “What do you believe?” may be more accurate than is often intended. What is that answer? “What my church believes.” But when asked, “What does your church believe?” the answer is then, “What my preacher preaches.” “What does your preacher preach?” is answered with, “What I believe.”

But the truth of the matter is, much of today’s hurts could be handled if people would spend more time in the Word. The problem with most marriages grows out of the fact that one or both spouses are not where they belong spiritually or Biblically. Pornography is sweeping the church, but again, this is answered by being in the Word. It is a grave error to discount the importance of the Word of God in correcting the ills of the congregation.

A proper walk, a proper relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the only cure for a hurting person. What about the person who just lost a loved one? What better source of peace and strength than the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13), and that God is still on the Throne (Rom. 8:28)? The Apostle Paul addressed the sin of immorality and apathy in the church of Corinth with a letter, 1 Corinthians. That letter is now a part of God’s Word. If it was able to bring correction to the Corinthians, it certainly is able to work in the lives of church members today. The hurting, searching, grieving, broken and straying individuals can be offered more than a band-aid by being pointed to the Word of God and especially the Gospel of Grace.

Now is not the time to abandon the past and seek a new message to reach a new age. The truth of the Word of God rightly divided was not recovered only to meet the spiritual needs of a past generation. No, the doctrinal confusion, social, and emotional issues of yesterday still plague the hearts and minds of people today. The same truths that grounded souls and encouraged spirits yesterday will continue to do the same today if they are faithfully and fully declared. If the church is to remain faithful and effective, it must be honest to its calling. It must not diminish or sidestep the real truth of the Word of God for the fads of the moment. Let us not make excuses for or apologize for the stands and positions of our fathers but, rather, let us be thankful for and hold on to the ground they captured.

We at Bible Doctrines to Live By believe very strongly in standing firm for the Word of God and the Word rightly divided. We are unfailingly Fundamental, Dispensational and Evangelistic in our approach to the proclamation of the Word of God and the truths for this present dispensation.

Keywords : evangelistic, preaching/teaching, dispensationalism, commission, practical,

Average user rating