Titus 2:11-14
INTRODUCTION:
When we place the teachings of Grace in deliberate contrast with what God taught in other dispensations, we find the teachings to be really different.
There are many similarities and teachings that are common to all dispensations. This we easily see, BUT, in doing so, we often miss seeing the uniqueness of Grace teaching (cf., Eph. 3:1-9; 1:7; 2:7).
Grace teaches us that now God is no respecter of persons. Compare:
Titus 2:11 with Matthew 10:5-6
Romans 2:11 with Matthew 15:24
Romans 1:12 with Romans 15:8
Romans 11:32 with Romans 3:1
Galatians 3:22 with Romans 1:16
Romans 3:22 with Acts 13:46
Grace teaches us that now men are saved entirely by grace, apart from the agency of the Law. Compare:
Romans 20:22, 28 with Luke 3:10-14
Ephesians 2:8-10 with Luke 10:25-29
Titus 3:5-6 with Mark 10:17-22
Acts 16:31 with Acts 2:37-38
Note: This is a contrast between the “Gospel of the Uncircumcision” and the “Gospel of Circumcision” (Gal. 2:7). Also, Dr. C. I. Scofield has some very good notes on the different forms of the Gospel on page 1343 of the Old Scofield Reference Bible.
Grace teaches us that now believers operate under the commission of Ambassadorship. Compare:
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 with Matthew 28:19-20
Mark 16:15-20
Matthew 10:6-15
Grace teaches us that now God executes His plan through the Church, the Body of Christ. Compare:
Ephesians 2:13-18 with Romans 9:18-33
Ephesians 4:4-16 with Romans 11:1-2, 11-15, 25
Grace teaches us that now there is only one baptism associated with the Body of Christ. Compare:
Ephesians 4:4-5 with Hebrews 9:9-10
1 Corinthians 1:17; 12:12-13
Romans 6:3-5
Galatians 1:27-18
Grace teaches us that now believers have a heavenly position and calling. Compare:
Ephesians 1:3 with Abrahamic, Davidic, and
Ephesians 2:6 Palestinian covenants of
Philippians 3:20 Genesis 12; 2 Samuel 7;
Colossians 3:1-4 Deuteronomy 30; cf., Isaiah 60; Jeremiah 23:5-6
Grace teaches us that now Christ’s coming will be IN THE AIR to deliver us from this “present evil world.” Compare:
1 Thessalonians 4:14 with Acts 3:19-21
1 Thessalonians 5:9 with 2 Peter 1:16-17
Matthew 16:28-17:6
CONCLUSION:
A failure to know these teachings of Grace causes great theological calamities.
A failure to teach salvation by grace, must of necessity make salvation a works program.
A failure to understand the Commission of Ambassadorship opens the door to the flood of Charismatic confusion.
A failure to see the distinctive nature of the Church, the Body of Christ, robs Peter to pay Paul. The Church then becomes Israel.
A failure to teach the one baptism destroys the basis for Spiritual unity among believers and further splinters the Body of Christ into fighting segments.
A failure to believe in the Rapture of the Church is to rob the believer of his “Blessed Hope.” God help us to know the teachings of Grace!