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Please Note:
For those who may be interested in learning more about the pre-tribulation "rapture", your Berean Dispensational host has recently become the editor for the Pre-Trib section of the ODP, at http://www.dmoz.com/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Perspectives/Prophecy/Prophecies/End_Times/Millennial_Views/Premillennialism/Pre-Tribulation_Rapture/ (in addition to being the Dispensational editor for the ODP; see farther down this page for more information). Please be aware that if you have visited the ODP before, your computer may not display the latest updates, unless you press "Shift-Refresh" on your keyboard.
In addition, there is also an on-line "free encyclopedia that anyone can edit", which currently contains a pretty good article on Dispensationalism. Although the overall article should be written from a "Neutral Point of View", it does contain one section entitled "Biblical arguments in favor of dispensationalism", and another one entitled "Biblical arguments in opposition to dispensationalism". Recently, I added some thoughts to the "in favor of" section. However, some of the other contributors seem to think that my additions have caused the article to lean slightly towards a pro-dispensationalist tone (although that's funny; prior to my additions, I thought the article leaned towards anti-dispensationalism, but nobody seemed to have a problem with that). I won't argue the point, because this is really a matter of perception. But since the additions I made can be condensed by someone else (and they probably will be), or even edited out, I decided to add them to my own web page, as well. The additions "in favor of dispensationalism" were as follows:
- Many non-dispensationalists portray the olive tree of Romans chapter 11 as being Israel. Dispensationalists argue this is not the case, because the olive tree itself never falls. Some of its natural branches are broken off, and branches from a wild olive tree are grafted in; but the olive tree itself remains standing. By contrast, the first part of Romans 11 seems to indicate that Israel is now in a fallen state, and Gentiles today are saved through the fall of Israel (Ro. 11:11-13). The context of this passage is established in verse 7, where Paul states that "...Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded". Dispensationalists conclude that if Israel has not obtained what they are seeking for, then the elect who did obtain it must no longer be part of Israel. Instead, they have become members of the body of Christ. So, when Paul states just four verses later that through "their fall" salvation is come unto the Gentiles, dispensationalists again conclude that this passage must be referring to the fall of Israel itself, and not just unbelievers within the nation of Israel. In turn, this would mean that the "olive tree" referred to in verses 16 through 24 would simply be the means by which both the natural branches (believing Jews) and the grafted-in branches (believing Gentiles) partake of "the root and fatness" of the tree (verse 17).
- Old Testament passages such as Leviticus 26:44-45 and Deuteronomy 4:30-31 state that the Lord will never totally forsake Israel. In the New Testament, Paul states in Ro. 3:1-2 that the Jew has the advantage, and there is profit in circumcision, because the oracles of God were committed to them. Here, Paul cannot mean that circumcision is profitable for believing Jews, because he states in Gal. 5:1-4 that circumcision is unprofitable for all believers. So, in view of Lev. 26:44-45 and Deut. 4:30-31, some dispensationalists conclude that Ro. 3:1-2 means the unbelieving Jew today still has an advantage over the unbelieving Gentile. Prior to this passage, Paul also states in Ro. 2:28-29 that he who is a Jew is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit. Since the context of the following verses (Ro. 3:1-2) concerns the unbelieving Jew, this must also be the context of Ro. 2:28-29. If so, this passage actually refutes the non-dispensational teaching that believers today are "spiritual Jews". Likewise, in Ro. 2:24, Paul applies Ezekiel's description of blaspheming Jews who are fallen (Ezek. 36:20-28), whom God will one day take from among the heathen, gathering them out of all countries, and bringing them into their own land (Ezek. 36:24-28).
- Paul states in Gal. 3:23-26 that before faith in Christ justified anyone, the Law served as a schoolmaster. But after faith in Christ came, we are no longer under a schoolmaster, because all believers are children of God by faith in Christ. Even though God Himself never changes (for example, Hebrews 13:8 states, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever"; and Malachi 3:6 states, "For I am the LORD, I change not..."), His requirements have clearly changed over time. Just as an earthly father has different requirements for his eight-year-old son than he does for his eighteen-year-old son, our Heavenly Father also had different requirements for Old Testament Israel ("...it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments...", Deut. 6:24-25) than he does for believers today ("...if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain", Gal. 2:21). Dispensationalists believe that these changing requirements define distinct and separate dispensations. Faith is always required for obedience in every dispensation, but God’s requirements must still be met on His Own terms. A man gathering sticks on the Sabbath learned this the hard way, when God ordered him to be put to death for doing so (Num. 15:32-36). As a result, in Romans 10:4-10, Paul contrasts God’s former requirement of Deuteronomy 6:24-25 (where Israel was righteous to observe the commandments) with the fact that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believes. As Paul also explained in Acts 13:39, "...by (Jesus) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses".
- There are numerous passages in both the Old and New Testaments which state that Israel will one day return to the Lord; and dispensationalists interpret these passages more literally than non-dispensationalists:
- Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-3 state that there will come a time when the word of the LORD (Jehovah) shall go forth from Jerusalem, and He will judge among the nations. At that time, the nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Dispensationalists believe this prophecy will be literally fulfilled when Revelation 20:1-6 takes place, because Rev. 20:3 states that Satan will be bound for a thousand years, "that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled" (although dispensationalists and non-dispensationalists disagree concerning the literal interpretation of this passage, both groups refer to this period of time as the Millennium, or the Millennial reign of Christ). During that time, Rev. 20:4 also states that "the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands" will live and reign with Christ for a thousand years. Dispensationalists believe that after this time period that was prophesied in Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-3, Satan will again be loosed out of his prison for "a little season" (Rev. 20:3; see verse 7), until he is finally cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, and tormented "day and night for ever and ever" (verse 10).
- Zechariah 12:10 states that one day the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem "shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn...as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn" (i.e. they shall mourn for the Lord Jesus Christ, Whom they pierced when they crucified him). Dispensationalists believe this prophecy will be literally fulfilled at the Lord's Second Coming, when "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him" (Revelation 1:7). Israel will finally believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, beginning with 144,000 servants of God from the twelve tribes of Israel that will be sealed in their foreheads during the tribulation (Revelation 7:1-8). Afterwards, Zech. 14:16 states that every one of "the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles". Dispensationalists believe this is the Millennial reign of Christ that was prophesied in Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-3, and Revelation 20:2-6.
- Hosea 1:9 prophesied of a day when God would call Israel "Lo-ammi" ("not my people"). Today, Israel is fulfilling this prophecy by her rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). But again, dispensationalists believe Israel’s present rejection is only temporary, because Paul also states in Ro. 11:25-26 that Israel is only blinded "in part" until "the fulness of the Gentiles" comes in; and "all Israel" will be saved. This indicates that Israel will no longer be blinded after the fulness of the Gentiles arrives. In that day, when Israel is no longer blinded, it will be possible for the Lord to literally fulfill the above-mentioned passages of Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-3; Zechariah 12:10 and 14:16; and Revelation 20:2-6.
- In Acts 1:6-8, after the Lord’s resurrection from the dead, even the apostles expected Him to literally restore the kingdom to Israel. Dispensationalists believe it is significant that the Lord never denied Israel’s kingdom would be restored one day. So, it is believed that Israel’s kingdom has simply been delayed, and not permanently taken away. One day, dispensationalists believe that Romans 11:26 will be literally fulfilled ("all Israel shall be saved") when Israel is provoked to jealousy (see Rom. 11:11); and the Lord will finally restore the kingdom to Israel, just as the apostles expected in Acts 1:6-8. At that time, after Zech 12:10 is fulfilled (when the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall look with mourning "upon me whom they have pierced...and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn"), dispensationalists believe that Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-3, Zechariah 14:16, and Revelation 20:1-6 will also be literally fulfilled.
- Just as Israel and Judah have been a curse among the heathen, they will also be a blessing one day, because Zechariah 8:13-15 states, "And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing...So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not." Later in this passage, the Lord promised that "many people and strong nations" will seek Him in Jerusalem, in Zech. 8:22-23 - "Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD....it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you." Dispensationalists do not believe this passage is referring to the church, because verse 33 states that Israel and Judah were a "curse" among the heathen (compare Jeremiah 44:8, which says the same thing). Yet the church was never a curse. Nor does "him that is a Jew", whom God is "with" (verse 23) refer to the Lord Jesus, because He is God (John 1:1). So, dispensationalists interpret verses 13 and 22 above literally. One day, they believe that Israel and Judah will truly be a "blessing", when "strong nations...seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem" (again, compare Zechariah 12:10 and 14:16; see also Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-3; and Revelation 20:2-6.)
For those wishing to better understand dispensationalism, we now have 257 Links to other Dispensational sites:
134 links to MID-Acts Dispensationalists;
97 links to Traditional ("Acts 2") Dispensationalists;
23 links to Acts 28 Dispensationalists;
and 3 links to Acts 13:46, 18:6, 28:28 Dispensationalists.
WHAT IS A BEREAN?
In Acts chapter 17, the apostle Paul escapes from the unbelieving Jews in Thessalonica, and is taken by night into Berea. Afterwards, he enters a synagogue of the Jews in Berea. The Bible states that these Bereans were "more noble" than the Jews of Thessalonica, since they "searched the scriptures daily", in Acts17:11 -
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
A Berean, then, is simply a Christian who searches the scriptures to verify whether the things he has been taught are scriptural. Sad to say, though, many Christians are not Bereans, since many of them will swallow any doctrine that is taught by their Church - even if there is no scriptural support for that particular doctrine. Certain "Covenant Theologians", for example, have claimed that water baptism has replaced circumcision as the "seal" of the New Covenant. A Berean, though, will soon discover (from searching the scriptures) that such a teaching has absolutely no scriptural foundation whatsoever. So a Berean, in view of Acts17:11, is simply a Christian who allows the scriptures alone to be the final authority. A true Berean will not accept any teaching that has no scriptural foundation.
And just what is Dispensationalism?
In a nutshell, Dispensationalism is based upon a separation between Israel and the church - scriptures which were written exclusively to Israel do not apply to the church today, and scriptures written to the church do not apply to Israel. The church today is not "spiritual Israel", and cannot claim promises which the Lord made to Israel alone (such as His promise to give Israel an earthly kingdom; see Mt. 5:5, in which the Lord quoted from Psalms 37:11; see also Deut. 28:1 and Zech. 14:17). Even though non-Dispensationalists also admit that certain Old Testament commandments no longer apply to believers today (such as the Old Testament sacrifices and dietary laws), these non-Dispensationalists do not go so far as to separate the church today from Israel.
Take, for example, the belief in a pre-trib "rapture". This is a Dispensational concept, because it is based upon a distinction between Israel and the church. This teaching, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13 through 5:10, states that there will come a time when believers who are alive will be "caught up together" with "the dead in Christ" to meet the Lord in the air, prior to the "day of the Lord". That future day of the Lord is the same "day" that was prophesied to be a day of "destruction from the Almighty" in the Old Testament scriptures, as in Joel 1:15 -
Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
According to 1 Thess. 4:15 through 5:3, it is only after we are all "caught up together...in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" that "they" (i.e., anyone who is left, including those of Israel referred to in Joel 1:15) shall say, "Peace and safety", and the "destruction" of Joel 1:15 shall suddenly come upon "them", "as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonials 5:3). Here is the entire passage of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 through 5:10 -
13: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18: Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3: For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4: But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5: Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6: Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7: For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8: But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9: For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10: Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Dispensationalists believe the above events are in chronological order: after "we which are alive and remain" are caught up ("raptured") with the dead in Christ to meet the Lord in the air, the "day of the Lord" of 1 Thess. 5:2 will occur, along with the sudden destruction" of verse 3, which matches the "destruction from the Almighty" that occurs during the "day of the LORD" in Joel 1:15.
And yet, even though a belief in a pre-trib "rapture" is a Dispensational concept, this belief is also shared by some who would otherwise ascribe to "Covenant Theology". Indeed, there are many individuals who actually mix Dispensational Theology with Covenant Theology. For example, the Lutheran Church and the Presbyterian Church both ascribe to Covenant Theology (they believe the church in the New Testament can claim the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament), and neither Church officially endorses a pre-trib "rapture". Yet many members of those Churches still believe in the Dispensational concept of a pre-trib "rapture", regardless of what their Churches "officially" teach. And most of these members probably don't even realize this is a Dispensational concept!
So there is more to Dispensationalism than just recognizing the distinction between Israel and the church, as illustrated by the fact that many non-Dispensationalists also believe in a pre-trib "rapture". A direct consequence of recognizing this distinction is the Dispensational practice of dividing the scriptures into different periods of time, or dispensations. Earlier scriptures that were written to Israel (such as our Old Testament) are viewed as "Jewish" scriptures, and certain Greek (New Testament) scriptures that were written later are viewed as "Church" scriptures.
Plus, since many Old Testament prophecies concerning Israel have not yet been fulfilled, a further division is made in these "Jewish" scriptures between fulfilled scripture and unfulfilled prophecy, with scriptures concerning the present-day church being placed between the two. The point in the book of Acts when the present church began will correspond with the same point in time when scriptures concerning Israel temporarily ceased to be fulfilled. For example, those who believe the church began in Acts chapter 2 would be considered "Acts 2 Dispensationalists", because they believe those scriptures concerning Israel temporarily ceased to be fulfilled in Acts chapter 2, when the Lord began the present church. Likewise, "mid-Acts Dispensationalists" believe those scriptures which applied to Israel continued to be fulfilled up until some point in the mid-Acts period, at which point they ceased and the present church began. And "Acts 28 Dispensationalists" believe those scriptures which applied to Israel continued to be fulfilled all the way up until Acts 28 (or shortly thereafter), when the present church began.
Yet all of the above-mentioned Dispensationalists generally agree that once the church is "raptured", prophecy concerning Israel will again begin to be fulfilled.
Recognizing a distinction between Israel and the church also results in a tendency for many Dispensationalists (and even non-Dispensationalists) to view a dispensation as a specific period of time; although that is more of a "broad" definition. But all Dispensationalists do tend to take a more literal view of the scriptures (especially concerning prophecies which pertain to Israel), while Covenant Theologians tend to spiritualize these Old Testament promises (one direct result of Covenant Theology is the denial that the Kingdom will be established at the second coming of Christ).
Although the most accurate definition of a Dispensationalist is a Christian who makes a distinction between Israel and the present-day church, the term "Dispensationalist" has taken on a negative connotation in some Christian circles, due to various misrepresentations of what it is that we actually believe. As a result, even some Dispensationalists do not apply the term to themselves, either out of ignorance over what constitutes a "true" Dispensationalist, or out of embarrassment from the negative connotations associated with the word (or out of both ignorance and embarrassment).
So, even though there are varying degrees of dispensationalism, and numerous opinions as to what constitutes a "true" dispensationalist, our common doctrine centers around the belief that the church is not "Spiritual Israel". Therefore, even many diverse groups such as Methodists and Baptists contain Dispensationalists, since neither denomination requires its member churches to teach that the church is "Spiritual Israel". Likewise, there are numerous Pentecostal churches that are dispensational, as well.
And Dispensationalism is indeed a scriptural concept - the apostle Paul stated that a dispensation of the gospel was committed unto him in 1 Cor. 9:17; he stated that the dispensation of the grace of God was given to him in Eph. 3:2, and he stated that the dispensation of God was given to him in Col. 1:25. And because Paul makes a distinction between Israel and the church in numerous passages, Dispensationalists realize Israel and the church are two separate entities.
To summarize, opinions differ widely among Dispensationalists as to when the church actually began, so we often distinguish ourselves from other dispensationalists, who hold to a different starting point for the church. The most common method for doing so is to label ourselves according to the chapter of the book of Acts in which we believe the modern church (the body of Christ) began:
1. "Traditional" Dispensationalists: Christians who believe the body of Christ began some time between the birth of Christ and Acts chapter 2 (on the day of Pentecost) are generally referred to as Traditional Dispensationalists, among whom there are also several subcategories. Acts 2 Dispensationalists, for example, believe the church started in Acts chapter 2, on the Day of Pentecost. The Baptist, Methodist, and Pentecostal organizations all contain Traditional Dispensational churches.
2. Mid Acts Dispensationalists: Christians who believe the body of Christ did not begin until Paul was saved are referred to as Mid Acts Dispensationalists. Since Paul was saved in Acts chapter 9 (considered to be the Mid Acts Period), and his first recorded sermon is in Acts chapter 13 (which is still in the Mid Acts period), these brethren may differ among themselves as to exactly when the body of Christ began (some believe it began in Acts chapter 9; some believe it began in Acts chapter 11; some believe it began in Acts chapter 13). However, Mid Acts Dispensationalists generally believe that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ. As a result, they associate the present body of Christ with the dispensation of grace which was given to the apostle Paul (Eph.3:2; Col.1:25).
So Mid Acts Dispensationalists, in general, also teach that the body of Christ could not have been in existence before this dispensation of grace began (although this is not a required belief). Men such Charles F. Baker and C. R. Stam are examples of Mid Acts Dispensationalists.
3. Acts 28 Dispensationalists: Christians who believe the present church did not begin until after Paul wrote his Acts epistles (Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, and 1&2 Thessalonians) are referred to as Acts 28 Dispensationalists. Like most Mid Acts Dispensationalists, the Acts 28 Dispensationalists also believe that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ. Consequently, Acts 28 Dispensationalists will also associate the present body of Christ with the dispensation of grace, which was given to the apostle Paul (Eph.3:2; Col.1:25).
However, not only do the Acts 28 Dispensationalists teach that the body of Christ could not have existed before Paul was saved; they also believe that much of Paul's early doctrine (which is found in his Acts epistles) is different from the later doctrine found in his Prison epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians). Consequently, these brethren also believe that Paul's early doctrine was different from the doctrine contained in his Pastoral epistles (1&2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon).
Like the Mid Acts Dispensationalists, then, the Acts 28 Dispensationalists also believe the body of Christ could not have begun before the present dispensation of grace. The Acts 28 dispensationalists, though, believe Paul was a minister of the New Covenant during the Acts period, when he wrote his epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and Thessalonians. Based upon this belief, they teach that those Gentiles who believed during the Acts period stand to receive the New Covenant promises of Israel, when she comes into her own inheritance.
Plus, Acts 28 Dispensationalists also teach that the heavenly inheritance of the present church was not revealed until after Paul wrote his Acts epistles. Based upon this teaching, they believe that once the Acts period ended, anyone who believed Paul's revelation stood to receive a heavenly inheritance, even if they were saved during the Acts dispensation. They base this teaching upon their belief that one's calling dictates one's inheritance. Men such as E. W. Bullinger (famous for his Companion Bible) and Charles H. Welch are examples of Acts 28 Dispensationalists.
Although many dispensationalists are stereotyped by our rejection of such practices as water baptism and speaking in tongues, this stereotype is not true of every dispensationalist. Baptists and Methodists, for example, still practice water baptism, and numerous Pentecostals practice both speaking in tongues and water baptism. But within this wide range of believers, those who are dispensational do not believe the church is "Spiritual Israel". However, most Christians who belong to one of these groups (or denominations) would not consider themselves to be dispensationalists. Instead, they would consider themselves to be Baptists, Methodists, etc.
Why, then, are most dispensationalists stereotyped by our rejection of water baptism and speaking in tongues? Usually, this is a distinction that we ascribe to ourselves, since the term "dispensational" most accurately describes our own theological approach to the scriptures. Therefore, not every dispensationalist is going to agree with every statement on this Web Site. However, those who recognize Paul's distinct apostleship to the Gentiles will agree with most of the points we do set forth here.
In addition, there are other distinctions that dispensationalists make among themselves, as well:
4. Pauline Dispensationalists all agree that the body of Christ began with the apostle Paul. Christians who are known as Pauline Dispensationalists comprise both the Acts 28 position and the Mid Acts position. These two groups may disagree among themselves as to exactly when the church began, but both groups believe that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ. As a result, all Pauline Dispensationalists also associate the present body of Christ with the dispensation of grace which was given to the apostle Paul (Eph.3:2; Col.1:25).
5. Berean Dispensationalists, including the originator of this Web Site, endorse certain aspects contained in all of the above positions. My theology would be considered Mid Acts dispensational in nature, since I still believe that Paul alone is the apostle of the Gentiles, and I also believe that Paul was the first earthly member of the body of Christ.
Yet the Bible never actually states that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ, which is one doctrine that is firmly professed by those who ascribe to the Pauline, Mid Acts, and Acts 28 positions. As a result, while I still ascribe to the Mid-Acts position, I must also allow for the possibility that Peter, James, and John could have also become members of the body of Christ (this is known as the "12 in/out debate"). Indeed, since the scriptures themselves never specifically exclude these believers from the body of Christ, then neither should I.
Now, there has been some confusion as to exactly what I believe; so for the record, I would like to clarify my position:
It is my own personal opinion that the body of Christ actually began with Paul. After all, the Bible clearly states that the dispensation of grace was given to Paul (Eph.3:2, compare 1Cor.9:17; Col.1:25); and he was the only apostle who was ever referred to as "THE" apostle of the Gentiles (Ro.11:11-13; Ro.15:16; Eph.3:1-2; etc., compare Gal.2:7-9). However, none of this actually proves that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ. Rather, this is simply my opinion, based upon my own understanding of the scriptures.
Therefore, even though I realize the dispensation of the grace of God was given to Paul alone, and he was the one in whom Christ first shewed forth "all longsuffering" (1Tim.1:16), I also allow for the possibility that the body of Christ could have existed before this dispensation of grace began. Again, the scriptures never actually exclude such a possibility. And if the scriptures never specifically associate the body of Christ with the dispensation of grace, then I see no need to do so, either (especially since my position does not exclude any other Mid Acts Dispensational beliefs). After all, even though Christ first shewed forth all longsuffering in Paul, that does not automatically make him the first member of the body of Christ.
Some of the earlier members of the body of Christ, then, might have an earthly inheritance (such as Peter, James, and John), while other members (beginning with the apostle Paul, and including all believers today) would have a heavenly inheritance. This difference of opinion, although minor from my viewpoint, is still necessary, since the scriptures never specify exactly when the church (the body of Christ) began.
As a result, even though I allow for the possibility that the body of Christ may have begun before Paul was saved, that does not mean I believe that it did.
I do, however, wholeheartedly agree with the following quotation, which is taken from Mr. C. R. Stam's Commentary on Galatians, Copyright 1998, by BEREAN BIBLE SOCIETY, Pages 301-302 -
"We believe that when God ushered in the dispensation of grace and began to form the Body of Christ all believers were included in it, just as all the children of Israel came under the dispensation of law when the law was given at Sinai, even though they had previously lived under another dispensation. God's dispensations are not dependent upon degrees of human understanding, but upon His own sovereign will.
Nevertheless, the truth of 'the mystery' was gradually revealed to and through the Apostle Paul (Acts 26:16; IICor.12:1) so that there was a gradual transition from the old program to the new. The old program did not immeadiately disappear, to be replaced by the new..."
Thus, I am a Berean Dispensationalist. As a Berean, I have "searched the scriptures" (Acts17:11) from a dispensational standpoint, in order to ascertain whether or not they state that Paul was the first member of the body of Christ. Having done so, I have found that the scriptures never exclude Peter, James, John, or Jude from the body of Christ. And because the scriptures never exclude them, then I have no reason to exclude them, either.
So with the exception of the Traditional Dispensational category, all of the above dispensationalists believe that the Four Gospels, as well as the epistles written by James, Peter, Jude, and John (some also include the epistle to the Hebrews), all contain certain doctrines that were intended for the nation of Israel alone. Since Paul alone proclaimed himself to be "the apostle of the Gentiles" (Ro.11:13), as well as "the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles" (Ro.15:16), we all believe that only Paul's epistles are written to the church today. Although we firmly believe that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2Tim.3:16), we cannot claim doctrines that were not written to us today.
Yet some people will still misunderstand our definition of a dispensation, since their church used to grant its members a "dispensation" (special permission) to disobey some of its rules. Such a definition, though, is not a scriptural definition; nor is it based upon the scriptural use of the term. From our viewpoint, a dispensation is characterized by the manner in which the Lord looks upon those whom He has chosen. For example, this dispensation of grace is characterized by "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts20:24).
Romans 2:28-29: This study explains why believers are not "Spiritual Jews" today. In Ro. 2:28-29, Paul must literally be referring to physical Jews who had never heard the gospel, when he states that "...he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly...But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly...". Paul is not referring here to believers in the church, because of his previous statement in verse 25 that circumcision profits "thou" who "keep the law" (compare Gal. 5:2, where Paul tells believers that if they are circumcised, Christ shall profit them nothing). So Paul cannot be referring to believers as being "Spiritual Jews", as some of my Covenant Theological friends have claimed. Indeed, the context of this passage goes all the way back to chapter 1, where Paul refers to those whom God gave up (1:24-28). So, because God gave them up and gave them over, there were some at that time (both Jew and Gentile) who had never even heard of Christ, who were to actually obtain eternal life through well doing (Ro. 2:6-11 says so), since they never had the opportunity to believe on Christ. (Today, this might still be true of only the most remote peoples in the world; but the vast majority of people in the world today have had a chance to hear the gospel).
The idea that Romans 2:28-29 refers to believers today as "spiritual Jews" has come up several times in conversations I have had lately, as well as in a Bible study I attend at work, which is why I put together this little study. I also received an e-mail recently from an amiable Covenant Theologian, who was willing to discuss this issue in a friendly manner, instead of arguing over it. This study is taken from my reply to his e-mail, which has been slightly edited, strictly for the purpose of clarification (his comments have not been edited at all). It is my hope and prayer that this will shed light on why I do not believe Ro. 2:28-29 refers to believers in the church.
In addition, you can also check our updated studies on:
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (New Study!)
The Basics of Mid-Acts Dispensationalism (This study explains why I am a HYPER-Dispensationalist);
The Deity of Christ;
Proving the Deity of Christ to Jehovah's Witnesses;
Water Baptism - a Mid-Acts Dispensational Viewpoint;
Why Speaking in Tongues is not for Today;
Romans 2:28-29 and the erroneous concept of "Spiritual Israel";
The Faith OF Christ: Why I reject the New King James Bible;
Mid-Acts Dispensationalism and the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Eph. 3:2);
And the study on Manuscript Evidence Supporting the King James Bible. Please Note: Even though I believe the King James Bible is the inerrant word of God for English-speaking people today, I do not agree with the teaching that the translators themselves were inspired. Rather, just as the Lord directs our own way (1 Thess.3:10-11); and we are led by the Spirit of God (Ro. 8:14); I also believe the Lord led the translators of the King James Bible to choose the correct family of manuscripts (the Byzantine Text).
Plus, I also believe the Lord led the King James translators to apply the proper method of translation, which was the "formal equivalence", or word-for-word method. This method of translation is far different from the "dynamic equivalence", or thought-for-thought method used by the N.I.V. translators, who translated passages based upon what they thought the passage "meant". The problem with this "dynamic equivalence" method is obvious. If the translators have an incorrect understanding of the passage, it will not be translated correctly.
For example, from my own mid-Acts Dispensational viewpoint, one of the most glaring errors in the N.I.V. is found in Ephesians 3:6, which states that the Gentiles are heirs "together with Israel", when the words "with Israel" are not found in any Greek manuscript. These words were added by the N.I.V. translators, based upon their own understanding of what the passage meant. However, from a mid-Acts Dispensational viewpoint, the Gentiles are NOT heirs "together with Israel", because the very foundation of Dispensationalism is based upon a separation between Israel and the church. Because scriptures which apply to Israel cannot be applied to the church today, Gentiles are not heirs "together with Israel", no matter what the N.I.V. states.
So, from my own mid-Acts viewpoint, the N.I.V. contains a serious error in Ephesians 3:6. And if it contains even one error, it cannot be the word of God.
It is therefore my belief that because the King James translators were LED by the Spirit of God, I believe He naturally guided them to inerrantly translate His word. This is why I make a distinction between Paul being inspired to write down the Lord's words, and the King James translators being led (not inspired) to properly translate them (I am also amazed at the number of Christians who believe the Lord led some modern writer to write a particular book, while denying the possibility that He could have also led the King James translators).
Please Note: I was recently asked to write a review of an article entitled "Deceiving and Being Deceived", in which Dave MacPherson not only gives erroneous information concerning the beliefs of Dispensationalists, but also makes some very serious accusations concerning the integrity and honesty of those who have chronicled the history of the pre-trib rapture doctrine. Mr. MacPherson is among certain opponents of Dispensationalism who claim that the pre-trib rapture doctrine was simply "dreamed up" by John Darby and the Plymouth Brethren in the 1830s. These opponents of Dispensationalism claim that John Darby "borrowed" this doctrine from a "prophecy" given by a young charismatic lady named Margaret MacDonald. These opponents also claim that nobody had ever even heard of the pre-trib gathering of the saints, prior to Darby and MacDonald. Meanwhile, Dispensational advocates of the pre-trib rapture believe that there is indeed evidence that pre-trib doctrine was taught long before either MacDonald or Darby mentioned it. At the web site Morgan Edwards: A Pre-Darby Rapturist, these supporters of the pre-trib rapture have documented the fact that the Rev. Morgan Edwards published his pre-trib beliefs roughly 40 years prior to either John Darby or Margaret MacDonald; and that well over a thousand years earlier, a man who is called Pseudo-Ephraem also wrote that God would gather His elect prior to the tribulation. These facts prove that the pre-trib gathering of the saints was indeed a doctrine that was being taught prior to Darby and the Plymouth Brethren. But in an attempt to deny these facts, Dave MacPherson claims that the writings of Morgan Edwards and Pseudo-Ephraim have been misquoted and taken out of context.
While I cannot attest to the accuracy of these charges from the historical aspect, Frank Marotta does a fine job of proving that Mr. Macpherson's work is lacking in historical method, in an article entitled "Dave MacPherson's the Rapture plot: weighed and found wanting" . But as far as the Dispensational aspect is concerned, I can definitely prove that Dave MacPherson is providing erroneous information concerning what most (but certainly not all) Dispensationalists actually believe. And since I can prove that these charges concerning our beliefs are incorrect, I strongly suspect that Dave MacPherson's charges concerning the history of the pre-trib rapture are also incorrect, as Frank Marotta shows. From what I have read, Morgan Edwards and Pseudo-Ephraem could still have believed in the pre-trib rapture, even if they held other beliefs that are not normally endorsed by most Dispensationalists. The only thing Mr. MacPherson proves is that neither Morgan Edwards nor Pseudo-Ephraem belonged to the "Darby camp" or the "Scofield camp" of Dispensationalism. Click Here to read my review.
Those interested in more information on this subject may also click here to read "A Review and Defense of the Pre-Tribulation Resurrection of the Church", by Jan Moser, who exposes the misrepresentations contained in Mr. MacPherson's book entitled "The Rapture Plot".
Plus, this brief article from biblefacts.org shows that pre-Tribulation Rapture views were also held by Victorinus (240AD), Cyprian (250 AD), and Ephraim the Syrian (373 AD).
Note: For a while, I continued to receive numerous e-mails from some people who apparently just wished to argue over tongues and healings. In the beginning, after one guy "spammed" me with a dozen e-mail messages in three days, he began contacting numerous other Dispensationalists on my Links page, and began calling me a "liar". In turn, many of the Dispensationalists he contacted began asking me why he had sent them copies of our correspondence; and others began to wonder how he got their e-mail addresses in the first place. I'm not sure, but maybe he saw some truth, and became upset because he cannot deny it. So, in case this guy begins contacting people on my Links page again, I am giving everyone the opportunity to decide for themselves who the real liar is, by posting copies of our correspondence on my site. I will not give out his e-mail address, because I harbor no ill feelings towards him. But if he has already contacted you, he might appreciate your thoughts, as well. You may read the entire chain at:
http://www.geocities.com/hyperdispensationalism/JD.html
Click here to read the replies of others to whom John sent copies of our correspondence
You may also check out our links to several Dispensational Message Boards and mailing lists (Click your "BACK" button to return to this menu), as well as our growing list of links to other sites, which present additional evidence for the King James Bible (again, click your "BACK" button to return to this menu). For those who don't understand the "Old" English in the King James, Glossary of Biblical English of the Authorised Version of the HOLY BIBLE gives the modern meaning of these "Old" English words, plus the various passages in which they are used.
Please note: Our section containing the Writings of Other Dispensationalists, along with the list of others who are searching for Dispensational Bible study groups in their own locations (or who are trying to start one), has been moved back to the Berean Dispensational Links Page (There are still plans for the hyperdispensationalism page, but there has just not been enough time lately to implement them). The student of Dispensationalism is encouraged to study the various writings; but please be aware that your Berean Dispensational editor strongly disagrees with some of the views contained therein. These writings are presented strictly so the student of Dispensationalism can be a Berean (Acts 17:11), and search the scriptures to see whether a particular teaching is scriptural or not.
Also - in a continuing effort to promote the understanding of Dispensationalism, and to refute the mis-information surrounding Dispensational Theology, your Berean Dispensational host has become editor of the Dispensationalism category for the Open Directory Project, which is a human-driven directory that feeds search engines such as Google, AltaVista, HotBot, Yahoo, Lycos, etc. Since this Directory depends upon human input, the sites that are listed in ODP stand a much better chance of obtaining higher ratings in the search engines.
So far, this editor has added over 230 sites and articles to the various Dispensational categories, including sites under the sub-categories of :
General Dispensationalism (sites that simply describe Dispensationalism in general, along with sites that chronicle the history of Dispensationalism);
Traditional, or Acts 2 Dispensationalism (consists of Dispensational sites that critique other Theological viewpoints from the Traditional [Acts 2] viewpoint; sites that defend the Traditional viewpoint from Covenant Theology, Reformed Theology, and Preterism; and sites that point out the various misconceptions concerning Dispensationalism that are being propagated by misinformed Covnenant and Reformed Theologians.);
Pauline (both Mid-Acts and Acts 28, also listed under "Hyper-Dispensationalism);
Opposing Views (for sites that focus upon the debate among dispensationalists from the various "camps");
and even a sub-category for Progressive Dispensationalism (which most Dispensationalists do not consider to be Dispensational at all, but is still listed in an attempt to present the full spectrum of sites pertaining to all Dispensational categories). And there will be even more Dispensational sites added to the ODP, as time allows.
To view "thumbnails" of the different sites, click on the red button at the bottom of the page. Or, click on the following "Thumbnail" version of the ODP:
General Dispensationalism Category
Traditional Dispensationalism Category
Mid-Acts
Acts 28
Opposing Views
And Progressive Dispensationalism
Please be aware that your computer may not display the latest updates, unless you press "Shift-Refresh" on your keyboard.
However, many of the sites that we link to from Berean Dispensational will not appear in the ODP, because those sites and articles must focus mainly upon Dispensationalism - and that is not necessarily the case with all of our Berean Dispensational links. While many of the sites in ODP also contain information concerning "secondary" issues such as baptism, the rapture, etc., these topics cannot be the main theme. In fact, the ODP has actually rejected several sites this editor has submitted, simply because their main focus was upon the "secondary" issues of baptism and the Rapture, instead of Dispensationalism.
So, those who would like to submit a Dispensational site that is not yet listed in the ODP, or simply view the current sites, may do so at:
http://dmoz.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Theology/Dispensationalism/
And the above link is indeed another great place to perform an in-depth study of the various Dispensational views, because many of the sites listed there do not yet appear in our Berean Dispensational links.
If you are submitting a Dispensational site through the above link, you should first click on "add URL" in the top right-hand corner of the screen. If the site you are submitting would fit better in one of the sub-categories (Traditional, Pauline@ Mid-Acts, Opposing Views, etc.), you should first go to that sub-category and click on "add URL". But please be patient; the ODP is sometimes rather slow. If it doesn't respond in a timely manner, just check back at a later time. Remember, though: If you are submitting a site, the main theme must be Dispensationalism.
The purpose of this web site is to set forth the basic concept of Dispensationalism, and visitors are encouraged to make up their own minds concerning the various views on this topic. Even though the editor of this site will set forth his own view from time to time, the intent is not to promote one Dispensational view to the exclusion of another. Rather, in order for the reader to better understand why each Dispensational "camp" holds to a particular belief, all valid views on Dispensationalism are represented at this site.
But as the editor of this site, I do want to acknowledge that I am a HYPER-Dispensationalist of the mid-Acts persuasion, simply because the church is no longer operating as it did in Acts chapter 2. Even Traditional (Acts 2) Dispensationalists agree that things have changed since then; and we no longer have "all things common", nor do we sell our possessions and goods, and distribute them to all men, as every man has need (Acts 2:44-45; compare Luke 12:32-33 and 14:33).
I make the admission that I am a Hyper-Dispensationalist because one of the criticisms leveled at us by our Acts 2 brethren is that none of us are willing to admit that we are "hypers". Maybe this claim is true; I have no way to verify such an allegation. But if I am not the first to do so, I want to be among the first to acknowledge my Hyper-Dispensational beliefs.
So I find no fault with the beliefs held by our Acts 2 brethren. Since I cannot disprove it, I must admit the possibility that the 12 apostles might have been members of the body of Christ. But even though I admit the possibility, I still wouldn't consider myself to be a dogmatic memer of the "12-In" crowd, because the scriptures are really silent on this matter. And as a wise man once said, we are left to draw our own conclusions based upon the evidence, but it would behoove us to be silent where the scriptures are silent. And they are definitely silent on this matter.
Further information (from a MID-Acts viewpoint) as to why we are not "Spiritual Israel" can also be found in an article entitled Spiritual Israel - ARE WE IT?, by Pastor Doug Dodd, of Berean Bible Church in Edgewater, Florida.
Further information, from a Traditional (Acts 2) viewpoint, concerning the debate between Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology, can be found in an article entitled "A Comparison of Classic Dispensationalism, Covenant Theology, and Progressive Dispensationalism". In this article, Jeremy Thomas evaluates the fundamental presuppositions of Classic Dispensationalism, Covenant Theology, and Progressive Dispensationalism, in order show the foundations, the development, and the conclusions of each system.
Further information from an Acts 2 viewpoint concerning this debate between Covenant Theology and Dispensational Theology can also be found in an article entitled "The Relationship of the Church to Israel", by Hampton Keathley IV, Th.M.
Further information, from an Acts 2 viewpoint, can also be found at DISPENSATIONALISM'S MISSING LINK, by Miles Stanford. "The primary purpose of this Paper is to consider three types of Dispensationalism, and the relationship of the Independent Fundamental Churches of America to them. These several Dispensationalisms to be addressed are Classic Pauline (vertical), Traditional (horizontal), and Progressive (inclined)."
In addition, there are also a few Dispensationalists which endorse the damnable doctrine of "Unitarian Universalism", which teaches that ALL men will eventually be reconciled to God. The following articles go a long way towards refuting the "Universalist" aspect of this unscriptural teaching:
Is it God's will that all people be saved?, by Bill Petri.
Universalism Disavowed, by Otis Q. Sellers.
Additional information on Dispensationalism may also be found at the following links:
Dispensationalism's Development, by James R. Mook, Th.D.
Dispensationalism, Date-Setting, and Distortion , by Dr. Thomas Ice
Dispensationalism Misunderstood, by Dr. Ken Blue
Essentials of Dispensationalism, by Robert Dean, Jr.
Dispensationalism, from Endtimes.org
The Subtle Errors of Covenant/Calvinist Theology
And
Comparison Chart of Dispensationalism vs. Covenant Theology (Even though this chart comes from a Reformed site, the information is still mostly accurate; and the few inaccuracies are still topics of debate among the various Dispensational "camps".)
Information concerning the distinction we make between Israel and the church can be found at:
Israel and the Church: the Differences, by Dr. Tom McCall
Also, online versions of the 1917 edition of the SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE can be found at the following links:
http://beta.studylight.org/com/srn/
and
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/ScofieldReferenceNotes/
Please realize that we do not believe Covenant Theologians are "heretics"; nor is it proper for them to refer to us as such. There are five fundamentals of the faith which are essential for Christianity, and upon which we both agree:
1. The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 20:28; Heb. 1:8-9), Who is the Creator God Himself (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16; compare Gen. 1:1); Who "laid the foundation of the earth" (Heb. 1:10-12; compare Psalms 102:24-27).
2. The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14; Mt. 1:23; Luke 1:27).
3. The Blood Atonement (Acts 20:28; Ro. 3:25; Ro. 5:9; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:12-14).
(Please note: this refers to a belief in salvation by grace alone [Sola Gratia], through faith in the Blood of Christ alone [Sola Fide] - Ro. 3:25 states that God has set forth Jesus to be a propitiation through faith in His Blood; Ro. 5:9 states that we are justified by Christ's Blood; and Eph. 1:7 states that we have redemption through His blood - see also Acts 20:28; Heb. 9:12-14).
4. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:14-15).
5. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Ro. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20), and the fact that we should rely upon scripture alone (Sola Scriptura).
Please note: this is NOT a reference to the "King James Only" debate; rather, this is a reference to people who claim to have revelations apart from the scriptures.
And those who disagree with any of the above doctrines are not Christians at all. Rather, they are the true heretics. And that is why I do not consider so-called "dispensationalists" who are Unitarian Universalists to be "True" Christians at all, because they deny the Deity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please Note: I need to explain myself here, because I was recently contacted by a unitarian who was puzzled over this statement. He claimed that because unitarians do confess that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised Him from the dead, then according to Romans 10:9-10, they are saved, which makes them Christians. So, here is the reason I make the statement that unitarians are not Christians at all - from my perspective, because unitarians do not believe in the Deity of my Lord Jesus Christ, they are believing in "another Jesus" (2 Cor. 11:4). Unitarians deny, among other things, the fact that the author of the book of Hebrews addresses the Lord Jesus Christ as "God" (Heb.1:8, compare Psalms 45:6); they deny Peter's referral to "God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1); they will deny that the Word was God (John 1:1); they will deny that the Father, the Word (Who is Jesus, according to John 1:1), and the Holy Ghost "bear record in heaven" (1 John 5:7); they will deny that the Jesus Who created "all things" (Col.1:16 and Eph.3:9) is the same GOD Who created "all things" (Rev.4:11); they will deny Paul's reference to the Lord Jesus Christ as "the great God and our Saviour" (Titus 2:13); they will deny that God was manifest in the flesh (1Tim.3:16); they will deny that God purchased the church with HIS Own blood (Acts 20:28); they will deny that Christ is "God blessed forever" (Ro.9:5); etc. And that is why I made the statement that unitarians are not Christians.
So among ourselves, we may vigorously debate other items, such as the merit of baptism; the consequences of Dispensationalism vs. Covenant Theology; the validity of various Bible translations; the authority of the Presbytery; etc. Such disagreements are perfectly acceptable within the confines of Christianity, because our salvation does not hinge upon those doctrines.
But if our critics deny even one of the five fundamentals mentioned above, they have departed from the faith, "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Tim. 4:1). By denying the above scriptural doctrines, they have heaped to themselves "teachers, having itching ears" (2 Tim. 4:3); thereby even "denying the Lord that bought them" (2 Pet. 2:1). These are the true heretics, who are preaching "another Jesus", according to 2 Cor. 11:4 -
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
And later in this same chapter, Paul refers to these people as the ministers of Satan, in 2 Cor. 11:13-15 -
13: For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15: Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
So, please - if you take offense to our Dispensational Theology, don't think that we are condemning you as unbelievers or heretics. Nothing could be further from the truth. As long as you hold to the five fundamentals of the faith, you may join the debate. And together, we shall reprove the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11).
Click Here to visit the Berean Dispensational Links Page.
Dispensational Message Boards and mailing lists:
Amazing Grace Bible Studies
Bibleunderstanding.com Message Board
Bible Forums on mid-Acts dispensationalism, moderated by Bob Hill, Obadiah, and doogieduff
"Grace Christian Ladies" Posting Board, hosted by Cecil and Connie Spivey
G.R.A.C.E. (Grace Rightly Applied Changes Everything) Discussion Board BRAND NEW! Added Jan. 9, 2005): Designed for candid, yet productive discussion on God's matchless grace through the revealed mystery presented by the Apostle Paul.
Heavenly Calling, a Q&A Comment board for all dispensational thinking, and a place to share, talk, teach, and listen.
Mid-Acts Dispensational KJO Bible Studies, Hosted by Ed Yarber.
Mid-Acts Dispensational Resource Center: This site contains a semi-private message board intended for use solely by Christians who are genuinely interested in mid-Acts Dispensationalism, or who are interested in learning more. Because participants must register in order to post on the message board, this should help to discourage those who wish only to "stir up" trouble, as happens on some fully public message boards.
Live Online Bible Studies From Berean Bible Church of Edgewater, Florida
Nightly Bible Studies, from Berean Bible Church of Edgewater, Florida
"Paul's Grace Message" Posting Board, Hosted by Cecil and Connie Spivey
Right Division egroup, hosted by sussoma
Theology Online: Dispensational Theology Debate Site and Chat Room
Download Free Bible Software from Theology Online
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King James Bible Advocates
Another King James Believer
The Battle of the Bibles
Bible Believers' Resource Page
Bible Versions Compared
Bible Version Comparison Chart, comparing the NIV, New King James, New Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, NASV, RSV, and Living Bible
The Bible Version Debate Resolved
A Creationist's Defense of the King James Bible (Dr. Henry Morris)
The Dean Burgon Society, "In Defense of Traditional Bible Texts"
Did God Preserve a Book?: A series of lessons on the Preservation of God's Word, as taught by Dr. James Modlish
DividingWord.com
HOW TO DEFEND THE KING JAMES BIBLE
In Defense of the King James Bible
In Defense of Erasmus
Easter and the Reformation Bibles, by Tim and Barb Aho
Easter is Correct, by Will Kinney
Easter or Passover?, by Jack Moorman
The Principles of Rightly Dividing Easter, by Mike Schroeder
European Institute of Protestant Studies (Dr. Ian Paisley)
Glossary of Biblical English of the Authorised Version of the HOLY BIBLE A Glossary of XVIIth Century Biblical English Words & Expressions (For those who have problems understanding the "Old" English contained in the King James Bible, this glossary gives the modern meaning, and specific passages wherein these "Old" English words are used.)
Hark Ministries, by Harold Arkell (New URL!)
The Johannine Comma (1 John 5:7), © 1997 by T.L. Hubeart Jr.
The King James Bible Only: A Rejection of the Modern Versions (Two-Page article; be sure and read through the second page!)
The King James Bible Page
The King James Version Defended, by Edward F. Hills, Th.D. (Free download; click "TEXTUS RECEPTUS", on left side of screen)
The King James Version Controversy
The KJV Preservation Page
Learn The King James Bible, from Antioch Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Logos 1611's Page (Dr. Thomas and Amy Holland)
The Lord Gave the Word: A Study in the History of the Biblical Text (Trinitarian Bible Society)
Modern Bibles - The Dark Secret (Part 2)
NASV Committee Member (Please Note: Thanks to a sharp-eyed reader, this broken link has now been fixed!) Dr. S. Franklin Logsdon, who wrote the preface for the New American Standard Version, later changed his mind and denounced his association with the NASV.
See also DID FRANK LOGSDON HELP ORGANIZE THE NEW AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION?, which states in part, "We have received a number of requests for information on S. Franklin Logsdon. He was a respected pastor and Bible conference teacher who participated in the founding of the New American Standard Version (NASV). Later he rejected the modern versions and publicly disassociated himself from the NASV..."
New Age Bible Versions, by Gail Riplinger ("Many people have tried to refute the arguments contained in New Age Bible Versions. James White is one of those who tried in vain to discredit Ms. Riplinger and her work. Here is a link to his attacks and the response of Ms. Riplinger." )
The NEW King James Bible should be rejected, because it changes the faith "of" Christ to our faith "in" Christ
Occam's Razor and Acts 12:4: Even as late as the year 1535, "Easter" was considered to be the correct name for the Passover (the word "Passover" was coined by William Tyndale, for his translation of the Penteteuch in 1530); therefore, the principle of Occam's Razor ("the simplest proof is the best proof") shows why the Greek word "pascha" is properly translated as "Easter" in Acts 12:4.
The Perfect Word Page
Proof the NEW King James Bible is Corrupted, By Will Kinney
The Roots of the KJV: Tyndale and the "Geneva Bible"
Scholastic Skullduggery: 'This pamphlet is written for those who like to tell you about the changes that must be made in our King James Bible dictated by manuscript evidence. They love to say "it is found in the oldest manuscripts"and "most manuscripts say."; But whenever they wish, they will violate their own rules to change a reading anyway, even if the oldest and most manuscripts agree with the KJV.'
The Seven Seals: How to Understand the King James Bible It is impossible to understand the Bible unless God's criteria are met.
Watch Unto Prayer
Which Bible?
WhichVersion?
Why we use only the King James Bible, from Chegoggin Baptist Church
Why the Word "Easter" is NOT a Mistranslation of the Word "Pascha", by Dr. Samuel Gipp
Word of Truth Ministries
www.spreadhisword.org/jil/ (Please Note: Thanks to a sharp-eyed reader, this broken link, which was formerly known as www.Jesus-is-Lord.com, has also been fixed!)
READ THE KING JAMES BIBLE, ONLINE!
COMPARE THE NIV ONLINE, which deletes (or casts doubt upon the authenticity of) Mt. 17:21, Mt. 18:11, Mt. 23:14, Mark 7:16, Mark 9:44, Mark 9:46, Mark 11:26, Mark 15:27, Mark 16:9-20, Luke 17:36, Luke 23:17, John 5:4, John 7:53-8:11, Acts 8:37, Acts 15:34, Acts 24:7, Acts 28:29, and 1 John 5:7; as well as portions of Mt. 27:35, Luke 9:55-56, John 3:13, Acts 15:18, Romans 8:1, Romans 11:6, 1 Cor. 10:28, Colossians 1:14, 1 John 4:3, Rev. 1:8, Rev. 1:11, Rev. 5:14, Rev. 11:17, and Rev. 21:24.
Compare also the New American Standard, which (in addition to having most of the same Textual variations as the NIV) also calls our Lord and Saviour the only begotten "God", in John 1:18! Click Here to read that passage for yourself.
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Mid-Acts Dispensationalism and the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Eph. 3:2)
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