Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul to young Pastor Timothy, written from a dark and damp Roman prison cell, just before his death in AD 67.
“12Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them; 15 And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness 17that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim:3:13-17 (ESV)
From his own prison cell in Rome, Paul reminds that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Not might, but will. And why did Paul break this wonderful news to Timothy? It was because “evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” It looks like error feeds on itself, then and now.
Paul then counsels Timothy to continue in the things he had learned and been assured, in light of from whom he had learned them, beginning in his childhood. It’s time for a bit about Timothy and his childhood.
Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Jewish mother and had joined Paul during one of his missionary journeys and was considered by Paul as a “true son of the faith” (1 Tim 1:2). From his Roman prison cell, Paul told Timothy that he even remembered his genuine faith and from whom he had learned it; from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Two godly women had nurtured young Timothy from his youth and had taught him from the Jewish Scriptures, preparing him to be able to recognize the Messiah when Paul came preaching Jesus Christ.
As mentioned before, Paul reminded Timothy “to continue in the things he had learned” from his mother and grandmother “and been assured of” from the Jewish scriptures.
On to the title and major point of this blog post:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (v.16-17)
Paul states unequivocally that ALL Scripture is inspired (breathed out) by God and is profitable for anything that a man of God might need for every work he might perform in the service of his Lord and Master. Paul is referring first and foremost to the Jewish Scriptures – to the Old Testament, as well as the portions of the New Testament that had already been written and might yet be written. Paul is basically saying that “If it’s Scripture it applies to His children. If it’s in the Old Testament or the New Testament it’s “profitable” (helpful, advantageous) for us in our Christian lives.
Well, now that I have just told you what you probably already know, let me tell you why wrote this article. There is what seems to be a growing movement these days that will tell you differently than what Paul told young Timothy. It’s not a new movement, as it dates back to the late 19th century, but nevertheless it is growing today. Trust me, I’ve been to their Web site and Facebook pages. I’ve done extensive research to make sure that their outlandish claims were not fabrications. They will tell you exactly how God has dealt with both Jews and Gentiles throughout history, from creation, until now and through the end of time.
They have so separated the nation of Israel from the church that much of the Bible (Authorized KJB only, the rest are garbage) pertains only to Jews and the nation of Israel, and that only a portion of the New Testament is meant for Christians and the church!
The entire Old Testament, through the four Gospels and into the book of Acts, when Paul began his ministry (either in the middle of Acts or at the end of Acts) pertains to Jews and is about Israel. They will tell you that the books of Hebrews through Revelation also pertain only to and are about Israel. What’s left, from when Paul began his ministry to the Gentiles through his letter to Philemon pertains to the Christian church. Drum roll please. . . . .
We don’t need to be concerned with anything outside of Paul’s letters! Here’s the problem with that, and something I would love to share with my new ‘friends’, but I have either been banned from discussion these things with them, or I must pass through site admins to have anything posted.
1. Paul’s letters to Timothy are in ‘in bounds’, and important for Christians and the church.
2. Paul specifically told Timothy that ALL scripture was important and profitable for his life and the life of any child of God.
3. Therefore, the stark separation of Scripture into portions for only Jews and the rest only for the church, which the aforementioned movement calls “rightly dividing”, is utter nonsense!
I’ve made my point here. I’ve also tried to appeal directly to members of what’s been called hyper, or Mid-Acts Dispensationalism (Rightly Divided) to no avail. Perhaps the argument in this blog post will be helpful to you, should you encounter anyone in the movement I described.
The Battle Cry 