Author: Charlie Garrett

Numbers 18:1-19 (The Levitical Priesthood, Part I)

Charlie Garrett Numbers (Written)

Numbers 18:1-19
The Levitical Priesthood, Part I

The term “Levitical priesthood” is only actually found in the New Testament, in Hebrews 7. However, it is used to describe the priesthood of Israel because all of the priesthood, and those who served under it, whether priest or not, were Levites.

In Chapter 18 of Numbers, there is quite a bit of repetition from Exodus, Leviticus, and what has already been said in Numbers. And from this chapter, there will be more repetition and further clarification in both Numbers and Deuteronomy. Each step is a logical progression of thought based on the circumstances of what has been presented, and what needs to be both newly addressed, or readdressed to clear up, or expand on, what has been said.

This is obviously so, because even since the giving of the instructions for what has already been presented, there have been blatant violations of those laws. Deaths have resulted, and people have moaned and complained. With each such incident, the Lord must further expand upon His word.

As Chapter 17 ended, and in a verse which we will cite in the sermon today, the people were left in a mental state of confused hopelessness. This wasn’t the Lord’s fault, but rather it was theirs for not paying heed to Him. But to address and correct future thoughts such as they had, the Lord now continues to explain the responsibilities and the rights of both the priests and the Levites. Why is this? It is to lead us to a greater understanding of Christ. From Charles Ellicott’s commentary on Numbers 17, he says –

The special manifestations of Divine power which the Israelites had witnessed excited within them salutary emotions of awe and of anxious apprehension, but do not seem to have awakened within them any corresponding sense of gratitude either for their deliverance from the plague, or for the privileges which they enjoyed by reason of the Divine presence amongst them. The true answer to their inquiry whether they were doomed utterly to perish is contained in the following chapter, in which the priesthood of Christ is typically set forth as bearing the iniquity of the sanctuary, and thus making reconciliation for the sins and securing the acceptance of the imperfect service of His people. Charles Ellicott

Text Verse: “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:11-15

Our text verse took about eight typed pages to explain in my Hebrews commentary, but it shows that these things being presented in the Old Testament merely pointed to what Christ would do in order to bring about true restoration for His faithful, and what that means in regards to our standing before God now. Some of that is seen in our first seven verses today.

After that the last twenty-five deal with what is given to the priests, and also the Levites from the children of Israel. Of these things, the Lord will say, “I have given,” several times. One only gives what one possesses. Thus, these things rightfully belong to Him. As they include offerings, parts of offerings, tithes, and so on, then these things – given to the priests and Levites as the best of all that Israel possesses – are given as types of Christ.

The priests, represented by Aaron, picture Christ. The Levites, representing the firstborn, picture Christ, the sacrifices and offerings – in whole or in part – picture Christ. He is the First and Best of all of these things, and God has given them, in Christ, as a Gift to the world.

Coming to repetitive verses like this, we need to keep remembering this. The finest that God has to offer, He did so in the giving of His Son. And before that, He gave types and pictures of the imperfect services of His imperfect people. Remember, as it is all about Jesus, these things are so much easier to listen to and to assimilate. It’s all to be found in His superior word. And so let’s turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. The Holiness of God (verses 1-7)

Then the Lord said to Aaron: 

In what is a highly unusual introduction, only Aaron is addressed. In fact, it is only seen five times that the Lord speaks only to Aaron without Moses even being mentioned in the words. The first was in Exodus 4:27 when the Lord said to Aaron to go into the wilderness to meet Moses.

The Lord then spoke to Aaron alone in Leviticus 10:8 after the death of his two sons, and in relation to priestly responsibilities. Now, the Lord says these words to Aaron. He will speak words to him in verse 18:8, and He will have more words to say to him in verse 18:20.

Further, here it uses the word amar, said, not daber, spoke. Thus, instead of it being a directive simply to be acted upon, it indicates that the task requires a partnership and people working together. The context of what is now presented is that the words follow immediately after the account of Aaron’s rod which budded, blossomed, and bore fruit, confirming his position as the high priest of Israel. The priesthood was to him, and to his sons after him. As the chapter closed, the last words said –

“So the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Surely we die, we perish, we all perish! 13 Whoever even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord must die. Shall we all utterly die?’” Numbers 17:12, 13

Death is the result of sin, and sin is imputed through the giving of law. If no law exists, then sin is not imputed. God gave Adam a law, just one, and it was in the negative, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16, 17).

The law concerning the priesthood has been given, the law concerning the sanctuary has been given, the law concerning the atonement of sin has been given. If no transgressions of the law are made, then no sin will be imputed, but that is not the nature of things. Thus, there is a need for the bearing of iniquity by someone in order to handle what will assuredly come about.

That responsibility, and what accompanies it has been explained, but now it is to be reexplained, consolidated, and what goes with it will next be expanded upon as well. It is this which is to be presented, and it is to Aaron alone that the words are spoken…

1 (con’t) “You

It is second person singular. The words are being said directly to Aaron alone to be acted upon by him, but also…

1 (con’t) and your sons

The directive includes action by his sons. What is implied here from the context of the passage is that this means his descendants after him, and not merely his two living sons. All of his sons born after him during the time of the covenant are included.

1 (con’t) and your father’s house with you

u-beit abikha – “and house your father.” Aaron is from the tribe of Levi, and of the house of Kohath. It is the Kohathites that were given the responsibility of service concerning the most holy things related to the sanctuary. This is seen in the words that they…

1 (con’t) shall bear the iniquity related to the sanctuary,

The word is ha’miqdash, or “the sanctuary.” It is a general term normally used to describe the entire sanctuary, but here – because the priests and Kohathites have been singled out – it is speaking of the most holy things. Only the priests could see or touch them, and only the Kohathites could bear them for transportation.

To bear the iniquity of these means that they were responsible for the guilt of the offenses committed by the people against the holiness of God. In Aaron’s case, he was ultimately responsible for this. He would perform the rituals for atonement for sin for himself and on behalf of the people, such as on the Day of Atonement.

Further, he would bear the iniquity which came from imperfection found in the service of the priests and Levites, and from the offerings brought forth by the people. This was explicitly seen in Exodus 28:36-38 –

“You shall also make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet:

HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

37 And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban. 38 So it shall be on Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things which the children of Israel hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.”

1 (con’t) and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood.

The iniquity of those things pertaining to the priesthood alone was to be borne solely by the priesthood. When pollution or defilement came, it was their duty to perform the necessary purifications, demanded by the law, in order to expunge the defilement.

2 Also bring with you your brethren of the tribe of Levi,

u-gam eth akhekha matteh levi – “And also your brothers of the rod of Levi.” That the previous verse was speaking only of the Kohathites and not of all the Levites is confirmed in the use of the term “house,” and also that only now are those of the extended rod, or tribe, of Levi mentioned. That is further described as…

2 (con’t) the tribe of your father,

shevet avikha – “scepter of your father.” It is a different word, again used to describe those who branch off from Levi, and thus the entire tribe. They are designated so…

2 (con’t) that they may be joined with you

v’yilavu alekha – “and that they may be attached to you.” It is as much of a pun as anything else. The word lavah is the basis for the name Levi. It is what Leah called out when she conceived him –

“She conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.’ Therefore his name was called Levi.” Genesis 29:34

The entire tribe of “Attached” is to be attached to Aaron, and this was for a specific reason…

2 (con’t) and serve you while you and your sons are with you

It was the responsibility of the tribe of Levi to serve Aaron and his sons. They were, as stated earlier in Numbers 3, given to them for this purpose –

“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. 7 And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle. 8 Also they shall attend to all the furnishings of the tabernacle of meeting, and to the needs of the children of Israel, to do the work of the tabernacle. 9 And you shall give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are given entirely to him from among the children of Israel.” Numbers 3:6-9

2 (con’t) before the tabernacle of witness.

The translation is not accurate. It says, liphne ohel ha’edut – “before the tent of the Testimony.” It is referring to the tent where the tablets of the Testimony are kept. It is thus speaking of the sacred nature of the law and thus the need for holiness before the law. The words are given to confirm what was said in verse 1 about bearing the iniquity related to the sanctuary and the priesthood. Sin is imputed where there is law. The law is recorded on the tablets.

3 They shall attend to your needs and all the needs of the tabernacle; 

With a lack of precision in translation, error in doctrine is inevitable. The word, again, says “tent,” not “tabernacle.” With the exception of the family of Kohath, during the conduct of specific duties, only the priests served within the tabernacle. The Levites served outside of the tent, attending to the needs of Aaron. That is then exactingly explained in the next clause…

3 (con’t) but they shall not come near the articles of the sanctuary and the altar, 

And again, the translation is wrong. It is not “the articles of the sanctuary,” but rather the holy articles, meaning those things that were set apart as holy and which the priests alone could touch, and which included the brazen altar. They could minister for the priests at the altar, but they were never to touch it…

3 (con’t) lest they die—they and you also.

This was explained in verses such as Numbers 4:15 –

“And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die.”

The words, “and you also” are plural. It is speaking of any priest who would be so careless as to not protect the charge which had been entrusted to him. The Lord would hold him accountable for such lax or inattentive care towards his responsibilities.

4 They shall be joined with you

v’nilvu alekha – “and shall be attached with you.” The “you” is singular. The Lord is speaking directly to Aaron as the designated high priest, and thus who has the overall responsibility for all priestly matters. Again, the Lord uses the word lavah, or “attached.” It is the last time that this type of pun will be used with the word where it is tied into the name Levi.

4 (con’t) and attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, for all the work of the tabernacle; 

In both instances, it says, “tent,” not “tabernacle.” Aaron is being granted full rights to the service of the Levites. There is to be no question as to his right to determine their individual duties in accord with the overall guidelines which have been specified for the Levites. This allowance is for, and only for, the Levites…

4 (con’t) but an outsider shall not come near you.

The “you” here is now plural. No one other than a Levite is to come near any priest or Levite to accomplish any duty which is reserved for them alone. It is the Levites who are to minister for the priests and to the congregation in place of the firstborn. This was first stated in Numbers 1 –

“The children of Israel shall pitch their tents, everyone by his own camp, everyone by his own standard, according to their armies; 53 but the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the Testimony, that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the children of Israel; and the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony.” Numbers 1:52, 53

This was then further explained in Numbers 3:7 –

“And they shall attend to his needs and the needs of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of meeting, to do the work of the tabernacle.”

There is a double-pronged purpose for the service of the Levites. One prong points inward to the charge of the sanctuary and the service of the priests; the other points outward to the needs of the whole congregation.

5 And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, 

Again, the translation is wrong. It says, ha’qodesh, “the holy,” not “the sanctuary.” It is referring to that which is holy and not acceptable for any but the priests to attend to (the “you” in these words is plural). This included the charge of the brazen altar which is set apart as most holy. Unfortunately, the NKJV, which follows after the KJV, is literally riddled with error. Without precision in translation, contradictions arise elsewhere. The entire purpose of these exacting and meticulous instructions is…

5 (con’t) that there may be no more wrath on the children of Israel.

The words are given to remind all of the death which has already surrounded the care of these things. Nadab and Abihu had been consumed. That was followed by those in Korah’s rebellion. The Lord has spoken, the people have failed to heed, and the wrath of the Lord has been elicited. Now, He is speaking directly to Aaron as the high priest to ensure that “no more wrath would come out on the children of Israel,” of whom he was included.

Before going on, it is the perfect time to remember what these things are all pointing to. The sanctuary, and everything associated with it points to Christ, the God/Man. Some things point to His deity, some to His humanity.

The priests, represented by Aaron, point to Christ as our Mediator between God and man. The Levites point to Christ as the Firstborn of God who serves before God and on behalf of the people. Again and again, there are admonitions and warnings that death will result for negligence in the conduct of the duties.

This is a sober warning that God is holy, and that none can approach Him apart from His representative. All others will be destroyed. It is Christ Jesus, and He alone, who can and does minister for us before God. Let us not forget this. There is one, and only one way of having a right relationship with God, and that is through the God/Man, who is our POC with God.

6 Behold, I Myself have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; 

The same sentiment is said in Numbers 3:12, but here the words, “your brethren the Levites” is added in. This is explained by the same term being used in verse 2 of this chapter. The Lord is keeping the sacred duties in one family to maintain cohesion within the service of the sanctuary, and thus in the service of Him. The Levites are attached to the priests, who are then attached to the Lord, just as Christ the Man is attached to Christ who is God and who serves His role within the Godhead.

6 (con’t) they are a gift to you, given by the Lord, to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

Here is the first use of mattanah, or gift, in Numbers. The Levites are said to be a gift to the priests (you is plural) by the Lord so that they could, in turn, perform their work without hindrance. As is next specified…

7 Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve.

The words “everything at the altar and behind the veil” are given as an all-encompassing term. The brazen altar stood outside the tent of meeting, the paroket, or veil, stood between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. From the daily regular duties of all the priests, to the once-annually conducted ritual on the Day of Atonement by the high priest, they were to attend to all aspects of their priesthood. Because they were freed from the regular duties given to the Levites. They were instructed to serve…

7 (con’t) I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service,

The term mattanah, or gift, is again stated by the Lord. The very priesthood itself is given as a gift of service to Aaron. It is a beautiful picture of what is later stated about Christ Jesus in Hebrews 10 –

“‘“Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.”’” Hebrews 10:5-7

Everything about these verses demonstrates the grace of God. The Levites are a gift, and thus a grace to the priests. The priesthood is given as a gift to the priests, and thus it too is a grace. And even the duties of the Levites, given to them instead of the firstborn of Israel, is a gift.

With this understanding, the coming verses show the greatness of these gifts to those who were granted them apart from merit. But, such is the case with any gift we possess, and which is used for the service of the Lord. Paul explains that in 1 Corinthians 4 –

“For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

7 (con’t) but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

These are the exact same words of warning from Numbers 1:51. Again, the holiness of God demands that only he who has been specifically appointed to approach Him can live. For us, only Christ has been so appointed, and thus any outside of Christ remained condemned, and he shall die. God is approached on His terms, not ours.

You shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary
Upon Your priesthood, it shall fall
Those who are unclean but who would come to Me
You shall bear it for one and for all

And You shall attend to the duties of the Sanctuary
And the duties of the altar, that terrible cross
That no wrath may come upon those who belong to Me
You shall bear it, and of them there shall be no loss

Behold, I have taken You from among all the firstborn
Only You are the First-begotten of Me
Your body shall be bruised and it shall be torn
But through it, You shall make holy those for my Sanctuary

II. A Covenant of Salt Forever (verses 8-19)

8 And the Lord spoke to Aaron:

The words now say “spoke” instead of “said.” This indicates instruction without any need for a partnership or working together. The Lord is simply issuing forth directives.

8 (con’t) “Here, I Myself have also given you charge of My heave offerings, all the holy gifts of the children of Israel; I have given them as a portion to you and your sons, as an ordinance forever.

This is a confirmation of what was stated in Leviticus 7:34 & 35 and elsewhere. The heave offerings were considered as holy gifts. The use of the possessive pronoun, “My heave offerings,” shows that these actually belonged to the Lord, but were given to the priests as a consecrated portion in perpetuity.

9 This shall be yours of the most holy things reserved from the fire:

The idea here is that everything offered to the Lord was presented to Him through fire, burnt up as an offering to Him. In this, it was most holy. However, those things which symbolically fell from the first, being reserved for the priests, was considered as most holy…

9 (con’t) every offering of theirs, every grain offering and every sin offering and every trespass offering which they render to Me, shall be most holy for you and your sons.

Each of these has been previously described in Leviticus, including that which was reserved for the priests. These are considered most holy, and thus could only be eaten by the priests. The reason for the repetition here, and in the verses to come, is specifically because of the incident of the rebellions which had taken place. The deaths, and the fears of the people concerning further death, necessitated that the priestly and Levitical duties be described. And these now explain the benefits afforded to them based on their duties.

10 In a most holy place you shall eat it; every male shall eat it. It shall be holy to you.

The words are not indicating the place where these were to be eaten, but that they are to be eaten as most holy items. This, in turn, means both the location and those who are allowed to eat them.

11 “This also is yours: the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel; I have given them to you, and your sons and daughters with you, as an ordinance forever. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it.

Again, these things have been detailed in Leviticus. These, not being most holy, could be eaten by anyone in the priest’s house, be it family or permanently bonded servant, but not hired hand. But, anyone unclean could not partake of them.

12 “All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the Lord, I have given them to you.

Here is a new word, yits-har, or oil. It is related to the word tsohar, or double light, meaning noontime, and thus it is fresh, new, glistening oil. Along with that is tirosh, or fresh, sweet wine, and dagan, or grain. For the priest, they were all to be the khelev, or “fat,” meaning the best of them. Of these came the reshitam, or firstfruits, which were offered by the people to the Lord. All of these were set apart for the priests. But there is more…

13 Whatever first ripe fruit is in their land, which they bring to the Lord, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it.

This would be the first of any other fruits of the land. It might include figs, durian, pomegranates, apples, dates, pears, etc. The presentation of these is explained in Deuteronomy 26:1-11. All brought to the Lord were to become the property of the priests, and any clean person in the house could partake of them. And also…

14 “Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours.

The word is kherem. It signifies anything which is set apart to God, such as by vow or dedicated, including certain land affected by the Year of Jubilee as noted in Leviticus 27. And also…

15 “Everything that first opens the womb of all flesh, which they bring to the Lord, whether man or beast, shall be yours; nevertheless the firstborn of man you shall surely redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem.

These things have been mandated already. All males that open the womb are noted in Exodus 13:2 and they are given to the priests. However, it emphatically states, “redeeming, you shall redeem the firstborn of man.” That was accomplished through a five shekel payment as will be next noted. The firstborn of unclean animals could be redeemed, but if they were not, Exodus 13 and Leviticus 27 have already been given to explain how to deal with them.

16 And those redeemed of the devoted things you shall redeem when one month old, according to your valuation, for five shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.

This is specifically speaking of the redemption of a firstborn male person. This was done when the child was one month old, and it was for five shekels of silver. Five being the number of grace, and silver picturing redemption. This is then defined as twenty gerahs according to the sanctuary shekel, which was the standard. The number twenty in Scripture signifies “expectancy.” There was to be the expectancy that the shekel used was appropriate to the standard.

17 But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the Lord.

These particular clean animals were set apart to God and could not be redeemed. They were considered holy and thus they were to be sacrificed, and their blood splashed – not sprinkled – on the altar. After this, their fat was to be burned up as prescribed elsewhere. The entire process, from type of animal to what is done with it, pictures the Person and work of Christ.

In Numbers 3:41, the firstborn of the livestock of the Levites was taken instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel. Now it says that these cannot be redeemed from among the children of Israel, and that they had to be sacrificed. There is no contradiction though.

Here, the firstborn are to be sacrificed as the Lord’s. Whereas in Chapter 3, it was speaking of all of the animals which were alive at the time of the census. The Lord took them instead of the firstborn of the animals which belonged to Israel. After that, all later firstborn still belong to the Lord and must be sacrificed, have their blood splashed, and their fat portions burned…

18 And their flesh shall be yours, just as the wave breast and the right thigh are yours.

This must be clarified. Deuteronomy 12, 14, and 15 all state that the owner of the firstborn is to eat his own firstborn. He cannot use it for any other purposes, but he is instead to eat it. Therefore, the second clause of this verse explains the first.

The wave breast and the right thigh, being sacred portions of the firstborn animal, are always reserved for the priests. This is explained in the words of the next verse, saying they are a part of the heave offerings.

The rest of the animal is taken by the family for their own consumption. Only in the third year is the entire animal, along with all of the third-year tithes, to be given over entirely. That is recorded in Deuteronomy 14. The subject of tithes, and how they are to be handled under the law, will be discussed in detail in next week’s sermon – whoo hooo, popcorn will be served.

19 “All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever;

The term “heave offerings” is an all-encompassing term which was first stated in verse 8. It was then further defined in verse 11 to include the wave offerings of the children of Israel. Thus, everything mentioned since verse 8 is set apart as holy offerings to the Lord. They have then been given, as grace, to Aaron and his sons and daughters, with the noted exceptions stated in these verses, for the entire duration of the Levitical priesthood. Here, the word “forever” is olam, and it signifies, “to the vanishing point,” not forever in the ultimate sense. When the covenant ended in Christ, so did this ordinance.

19 (con’t) it is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.”

This is the first time the term, “a covenant of salt” is referred to in Scripture. However, it was alluded to in some measure in Leviticus 2, where it said –

“And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.” Leviticus 2:13

Salt produces and signifies incorruption. It strengthens the food in which it is, and also preserves it. Thus, it is a sign of faithfulness and covenant keeping. It goes so far as to indicate the perpetual nature of the covenant. It will never be broken as long as it is in force. In regards to this, then, it stayed in effect until Christ came and fulfilled the law, and annulled it through His shed blood.

But this then only looks forward to that greater and more perfect covenant which is found in Christ. Previous sermons have revealed that every detail of what is seen and repeated here looks forward, in type and picture, to the coming Christ. Those things which were newly introduced did as well in that they were the best of what God gave to His priests, just as He has given the best of what He has through Christ who then ministers between Him and His people.

And as the Mosaic Covenant only looked forward to the New Covenant in Christ, then the good things found in Him are given as a covenant of salt, truly forever. As our text verse said today, in Christ, there is an eternal inheritance. It is one which is perfect because it comes from God who is perfect. And it is one which is eternal, because God, who made the covenant in Christ, is eternal.

It is with the greatest joy that we can read these passages, see how God was faithful to keep His word through until the end, and then give something far better to those who have anticipated Him, even since the first moments of man’s existence on this earth. Let us be grateful for this, and let us rejoice in what He has done for those who have been redeemed through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Closing Verse: “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:18, 19

Next Week: Numbers 18:20-32 The subject matter of this next sermon gets me hot under the collar, it is true… (The Levitical Priesthood, Part II) (35th Numbers Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. It may seem at times as if you are lost in a desert, wandering aimlessly. But the Lord is there, carefully leading you to the Land of Promise. So follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

The Levitical Priesthood

Then the Lord said to Aaron:
“You and your sons and your father’s house, so it shall be
With you shall bear the iniquity
Related to the sanctuary

And you and your sons with you, let this be understood
Shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood

Also bring with you your brethren
Of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, yes those ones
That they may be joined with you and serve you
While you and your sons… 

Are with you before the tabernacle of witness
As to you I now address

They shall attend to your needs
And all the needs of the tabernacle; it shall be so
But they shall not come near the articles of the sanctuary
And the altar, lest they die—they and you also 

They shall be joined with you
And attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting too
For all the work of the tabernacle
But an outsider shall not come near you 

And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary
And the duties of the altar, as to you as I now tell
That there may be no more wrath
On the children of Israel 

Behold, I Myself have taken your brethren
The Levites from among the children of Israel
They are a gift to you, given by the Lord
To do the work of the tabernacle of meeting as to you I now tell 

Therefore you and your sons with you
Shall attend to your priesthood
For everything at the altar and behind the veil
And you shall serve as it is understood

I give your priesthood as a gift for service to you
But the outsider who comes near shall be put to death
———-so you shall do

And the Lord spoke to Aaron:
“Here, I Myself have also given you, as to you I now tell
Charge of My heave offerings
All the holy gifts of the children of Israel

I have given them as a portion to you and your sons
As an ordinance forever, my holy ones 

This shall be yours of the most holy things
Reserved from the fire: such shall be the proffering
Every offering of theirs
Every grain offering and every sin offering

And every trespass offering which they render to Me
Shall be most holy for you and your sons, so shall it be 

In a most holy place you shall eat it; so you shall do
Every male shall eat it. It shall be holy to you

This also is yours: the heave offering of their gift
With all the wave offerings of the children of Israel
I have given them to you
And your sons and daughters with you, as to you I now tell

As an ordinance forever, so to you I submit
Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it

All the best of the oil
All the best of the new wine too
And the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the Lord
I have given them to you 

Whatever first ripe fruit is in their land
Which they bring to the Lord, yours shall be
Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it
Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours as directed by Me

Everything that first opens the womb of all flesh
Which they bring to the Lord, whether man or beast
———-shall be yours too
Nevertheless the firstborn of man you shall surely redeem
And the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem
———-so shall you do

And those redeemed of the devoted things
You shall redeem when one month old as directed by Me
According to your valuation, for five shekels of silver
According to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is gerahs twenty 

But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep
Or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem
———-according to My word
They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar
And burn their fat as an offering made by fire
———-for a sweet aroma to the Lord 

And their flesh shall be yours, by and by
Just as are yours the wave breast and the right thigh

“All the heave offerings of the holy things
Which the children of Israel offer to the Lord
I have given to you and your sons and daughters
With you as an ordinance forever; according to this word 

It is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord, it is true
With you and your descendants with you

Lord God, we are even now in a wilderness
And we are wanting to be led by You
Without You to direct, our lives would be a mess
And so be our guide, O God; You who are faithful and true

We long for the water in this barren land
May it flow forth from the Rock, our souls to satisfy
Give us this refreshing, spiritual hand
And may we take it, and to our lives daily it apply

And we shall be content and satisfied in You alone
We will follow You as we sing our songs of praise
Hallelujah to You; to us Your path You have shown
Hallelujah we shall sing to you for all of our days

Hallelujah and Amen…

Then the Lord said to Aaron: “You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear the iniquity related to the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood. 2 Also bring with you your brethren of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may be joined with you and serve you while you and your sons are with you before the tabernacle of witness. 3 They shall attend to your needs and all the needs of the tabernacle; but they shall not come near the articles of the sanctuary and the altar, lest they die—they and you also. 4 They shall be joined with you and attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, for all the work of the tabernacle; but an outsider shall not come near you. 5 And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, that there may be no more wrath on the children of Israel. 6 Behold, I Myself have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; they are a gift to you, given by the Lord, to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting. 7 Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death.”

8 And the Lord spoke to Aaron: “Here, I Myself have also given you charge of My heave offerings, all the holy gifts of the children of Israel; I have given them as a portion to you and your sons, as an ordinance forever. 9 This shall be yours of the most holy things reserved from the fire: every offering of theirs, every grain offering and every sin offering and every trespass offering which they render to Me, shall be most holy for you and your sons. 10 In a most holy place you shall eat it; every male shall eat it. It shall be holy to you.

11 “This also is yours: the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel; I have given them to you, and your sons and daughters with you, as an ordinance forever. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it.

12 “All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the Lord, I have given them to you. 13 Whatever first ripe fruit is in their land, which they bring to the Lord, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it.

14 “Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours.

15 “Everything that first opens the womb of all flesh, which they bring to the Lord, whether man or beast, shall be yours; nevertheless the firstborn of man you shall surely redeem, and the firstborn of unclean animals you shall redeem. 16 And those redeemed of the devoted things you shall redeem when one month old, according to your valuation, for five shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. 17 But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the Lord. 18 And their flesh shall be yours, just as the wave breast and the right thigh are yours.

19 “All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and daughters with you as an ordinance forever; it is a covenant of salt forever before the Lord with you and your descendants with you.”

Hebrews 11:34

Charlie Garrett Hebrews (Written)

Sunday, 31 March 2019

…quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:34

The list of deeds of the faithful continues in this verse. Here, the author reminds us of the great faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three men who stood against the king of Babylon at the risk of being thrown into a fiery furnace. As it says of them, they “quenched the violence of fire.” The words should rather say, “quenched the power of fire.” The account is found in Daniel 3. When so threatened, they responded as one –

“If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17

The author next says that some “escaped the edge of the sword.” The word “edge” is literally “mouth,” and it is in the plural. The edge of the sword is likened to a devouring instrument that consumes souls. Being in the plural, the symbolism is that of cutting both ways and causing maximum damage. To escape “the edges of the sword” is to then have been spared in a remarkable way. It is as if there was nowhere to go, and yet relief was found. There was a trust in God, and God delivered them.

David and Elijah both escaped such a sword, as did others in various accounts, but it may be that the term, which is exactingly used by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, is what is on the author’s mind. Jeremiah prophesied of those who would escape the sword when exiled to Egypt, returning again to Judah. It may be that these were the only exiles who had faith in the Lord, and the Lord returned them based on that. In Ezekiel, it speaks of those who “escape the sword” from among the nations as well. The few people of faith, living in exile, would be spared.

The author next says, “out of weakness were made strong.” Here, it should say, “from weakness.” This is not necessarily speaking of someone who was sick or debilitated and then reinvigorated (such as Hezekiah). Rather, it is probably a reference to Samson who “from weakness” was able to destroy the Philistines by collapsing the building down upon them and upon himself.

Next, he notes those who “became valiant in battle.” Numerous heroes of Israel could be on the author’s mind, and he makes this a summary statement of any or all he was thinking about. Joshua, Barak, Saul, David, and many of the men under them, are recorded as champions in the battle, displaying a valiant nature in warfare.

Finally, the verse says that they “turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Again, the number of accounts is long concerning such exploits. Saul’s son Jonathan, in faith, began a battle which led to a route of the Philistines. At other times, the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Assyria (among others) are noted as having been turned back.

Life application: Many of the prophets of old were threatened with death for speaking the word of the Lord, but the Lord often (but not always) saved them from the edge of the sword. Those whose weakness was turned to strength actually include all of those herein mentioned in this commentary, as well as all others in this Hall of Fame. On our own, despite how we may perceive ourselves, we are incapable of handling life’s pressures and stresses. God gives strength to all, but not all give Him the credit He is due. The greats in the Hall of Fame are those who became valiant. They realized that the power they possessed was granted to them, not something which came from them. Remember to praise the Lord for every accomplishment that you participate in.

Again we thank you Lord for the wonderful stories of faithful followers who are recorded in Your word. We look back on their achievements and see Your hand at work in their lives. Likewise, be with us and guide us through the flames, the swords, the weaknesses, and the battles. In return, we will be sure to turn and give You the praise that You are due! Amen.

Hebrews 11:33

Charlie Garrett Hebrews (Written)

Saturday, 30 March 2019

…who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Hebrews 11:33

The author now turns to the active acts of faith of those who had gone before, and whose deeds are mentioned in this Hall of Fame of Faith. Some of these acts are obviously stated about single individuals. The event can be specifically identified as to who he was thinking about. Other noted acts of faith can be applied to several different people as they are more general in nature. Also, these recorded acts are not constrained to those in the previous verse, showing that both their names, and these now-mentioned deeds, are general listings which came to mind, and are not directly connected to one another. He gave names, he now gives events, and both lists are just his general thoughts.

Understanding this, he begins with, “who through faith subdued kingdoms.” The Greek word translated as “subdued” is a compound word found only here in Scripture. It gives the sense of “struggling against,” and thus by implication, to “overcome.” This could be applied to a host of stories in the Old Testament. In Genesis 14, Abraham led a war party with three hundred and eighteen of his trained servants and fought against the kings mentioned there. Moses led Israel when they faced several adversaries, starting with Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The list goes on throughout the history of Israel in judges, kings, and even common people.

The author next says that some “worked righteousness.” This isn’t merely speaking of the personal righteous behavior of an individual, but of the dispensing of righteousness by someone. These people dealt in accord with God’s law and His expected standards. Working righteousness can include the destruction of God’s enemies, which is according to His will, and it can include faithfully upholding covenants made with others. The actions which are in accord with His laws, standards, and judgments are noted in many people throughout Israel’s history.

The author next says that some “obtained promises.” Hebrews 6:15 said of Abraham that “after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” This is the idea here. It speaks of temporal promises which people faithfully believed would be fulfilled. A marvelous example is found in the New Testament, but which fits perfectly with the thought expressed by the author here –

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32

Finally, the verse ends with the words, “stopped the mouths of lions.” This is a direct reference to the prophet Daniel as is recorded in Daniel 6. It could also be indirectly applied to David who “killed both lion and bear” (1 Samuel 17:36), or Samson who “tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat” (Judges 14:6). It could even be taken metaphorically of the defeat of an enemy in battle who is compared to a lion (see 2 Samuel 23:20). Such references reveal the faithful character of these heroes of the faith.

Life application: The Lord took these fallible, and often weak-willed, men and used them for His glory and for our edification. Their stories have echoed down through time. Each one of them has been used as an example by similarly weak-willed people who have gone on, in the strength of the Lord, to accomplish tasks which would otherwise be impossible. And so, you too can read about these people and then determine to accomplish whatever task is set before you. If the future – whether the immediate or distant – looms with difficulty, take to heart the wonderful examples noted here. Insert your name into the Hall of Fame of Faith by trusting in the grand and splendid provision of Jesus Christ. He will never leave you; He will never forsake you.

Heavenly Father – I am simply overwhelmed to know that Your hand is with me in the tasks You have chosen for my life. Give me the courage and ability to never sway from bringing you the glory and honor that You are due. All hail the GLORIOUS name of Jesus who has made this possible by bringing me close to You once again. Amen.

Hebrews 11:32

Charlie Garrett Hebrews (Written)

Friday, 29 March 2019

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: Hebrews 11:32

The author has, by the completion of the previous verse, set the general tone of what faith means and how it is demonstrated. He has covered all of the period of time, from creation to that of the patriarchs, and even to the time of Joshua and the conquest of Canaan. The last person noted was Rahab the harlot. From there, he says, “And what more shall I say?” He knows that the list could go on throughout the rest of Scripture, but instead he notes that such a list would take more time than the Lord has permitted in His inspired epistle. And so he says, “For the time would fail me.”

It is an expression which confirms that there is not sufficient time to note all of those of faith by name, and to then also note the individual instances which they should be recognized for. If he had sufficient time, he would “tell of Gideon and Barak.”

Barak’s life and deeds are recorded in Judges 4 & 5. Gideon’s are recorded in Judges 6-8. From there, he notes, “and Samson and Jephthah.” The life and times of Jephthah are found in Judges 11, 12; and those of Samson are found in Judges 13-16. Next, he says, “also of David and Samuel.” The birth through the death of Samuel is recorded in 1 Samuel 1-25. The main record of the life of David is recorded from 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2. If you notice, the author mentioned each coupling of names in reverse order of their actual appearance in Scripture:

Gideon – Barak
Samson – Jephthah
David – Samuel

However, each coupling leads in the proper order to the next coupling. In each of these couplings, the most prominent name is first. Gideon is more renowned than Barak, Samson is more renowned than Jephthah, and David is more renowned than Samuel. Further, each first has more recorded about him in Scripture than the second.

Finally, the author notes, “and the prophets.” The entire list of the many prophets of Israel is summed up in those words. From here, the author will lightly touch upon the deeds of faith for which these many people are generally noted. Verses 11:32-34 record deeds of active faith, whereas verses 35-38 record deeds of passive faith.

Life application: From this verse, through verse 38, we are told of a range of people and of the various trials they faced as they demonstrated faith worthy of a true saint. As you think on their situations, remember their failings as well. Maybe you will see yourself mirrored in them and be encouraged that the Lord can use you in a great way. Gideon (Judges 6-8) was so unsure of his own abilities that he asked the Lord for a sign. When he received it, he asked for another… not the most confident soul in town.

Barak (Judges 4) was told by Israel’s judge (Deborah) that the Lord had commanded him to take an army of men and that he would defeat Israel’s enemies. In verse 8 it says “And Barak said to her, ‘If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!’” Instead of believing the Lord’s directive, he questioned the command’s validity. By asking Deborah to go, he was checking both her truthfulness and the surety of the Lord’s word.

Samson (Judges 13-16) was set apart from birth to God and became Israel’s judge. However, he had a weak will towards women, was over-confident in his own abilities, and he often took revenge that wasn’t proportionate to offenses made against him.

Jephthah (Judges 11-12) was the son of a prostitute. He made a rash vow to sacrifice the first living thing that came out of his house. To his horror, it was his own daughter. However, his vow stood and he performed his vow at her expense.

David committed adultery, murder, and other grievous sins. However, with a faithful and repentant heart, he was considered Israel’s great king and sweet psalmist.

Samuel was Israel’s last judge. He failed to restrain his own children and raise them properly. This resulted in the end of Israel’s theocracy and a turn to an earthly kingship rule.

Are you seeing any of your failings in these men of faith? If so, then understand that despite them, God looked on their faithful and repentant hearts. He also looked on their deeds of faith, and He accepted them, forgiving every sin and trespass.

Lord God, it sure is good to look back on the people recorded in Scripture, and who are then noted in the book of Hebrews, and to see that they are not unlike me. But even with their failings, You have placed them in Your Hall of Fame of Faith. This gives me hope that I too may someday be remembered, not for my failings, but for my heart which is devoted to You. Thank You that You grant us a right standing with You through simple faith in the Person and work of Jesus. Amen.

When the Church Began – Hyperdispensationalism: Why It Is Wrong

Charlie Garrett Special / Holiday (Written)

When the Church Began – Hyperdispensationalism; Why It Is Wrong

Hyperdispensationalism is also known as the Grace Movement or mid-Acts dispensationalism). It rejects water baptism, but yet it oddly keeps the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, both of which were mandated by the Lord at the giving of the New Covenant. Hyperdispensationalism teaches two separate gospels, one for the nation of Israel, and one for the “Body of Christ,” meaning the church. It this correct? Anyone? No. Why? Because Scripture does not teach this, nor does it ever even imply it.

I mentioned what we would talk about tonight to Sergio and he went to read up on the subject, though speaking of ultra-dispensationalism, this quote fits very well with the heresy of hyper-dispensationalism. They are simply different forms of the same heresy, and their adherents possess the exact same attitude recorded here.

“…no hesitancy in saying that [ultra-dispensationalism’s] fruits are evil. It has produced a tremendous crop of heresies throughout the length and breadth of this and other lands; it has divided Christians and wrecked churches and assemblies without number; it has lifted up its votaries in intellectual and spiritual pride to an appalling extent, so that they look with supreme contempt upon Christians who do not accept their peculiar views; and in most instances where it has been long tolerated, it has absolutely throttled Gospel effort at home and sown discord on missionary fields abroad. So true are these things of this system that I have no hesitancy in saying it is an absolutely Satanic perversion of the truth” (Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth, chapter 1, Loizeaux Brothers, 1938).

One example of the teaching of hyperdispensationalism is provided by Steve Atwood in his sermon “When Did the Church (Body of Christ) Begin.” I don’t know the guy, and I don’t bear him any ill will, except towards his terrible doctrine. His sermon will be used as a basis and beginning for covering the major errors of this heresy. Why is it a heresy? It is because it teaches two gospels, not one. People speak of Calvinism as “heresy” all the time, and yet it is not. The difference? Bad doctrine will not keep someone from salvation.

Heresy is something that proclaims a false gospel, and it will – in fact – keep people from being saved. By proclaiming two gospels, when there is only one, they proclaim heresy. This doesn’t mean they are not saved, but their message can lead to another never coming to the truth of God in Christ, specifically the Jews, in this case. I have a text verse for you from Galatians 1 –

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9

The gospel of Jesus Christ is based upon the Person of Christ. In His completed work, there is one – and only one – New Covenant. When it says in Matthew 4:23 that “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom,” it does not mean that there are two gospels.

It means that He is the Subject of the gospel. His work in fulfillment of the law, including His death, burial, and resurrection is the completion of the basis for the gospel. From there, that one, and only one, gospel message goes forth. The apostles are all clearly united in this message as will be seen as we continue.

The gospel, or Good News, is an extension of the work of Messiah. The Gospel of the Kingdom is one. That there is a literal, earthly, kingdom coming where Messiah rules among Israel does not divide the gospel; it is simply a part of the dispensational model, just as the same gospel was preached to Abraham beforehand as Paul notes in Galatians 3:8 – “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’” The gospel is that of Messiah in any dispensation. A literal kingdom on earth falls under that one gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is obvious on the surface because only in coming to Messiah will the Old Testament promises to Israel be brought about. It is faith in Messiah’s completed work which will bring Israel to the realization of those promises (See Zechariah 12:10-13:1). But, unlike the Gentiles, Israel is a corporate body as well as a group of individual people.

The promises of the kingdom for Israel are both for individuals and for the collective nation. This is obvious from verses such as Hebrews 4:3 which says, “…for we who have believed do enter that rest.” This is written by a Hebrew (certainly Paul) to the Hebrew people, and yet he admits that they who have believed have entered into the promised rest. However, in verse 4:9, speaking of Israel the collective, it says, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” There is one gospel being worked out in individual Jews, and that same gospel is to be worked out in the nation of Israel.

The entire problem with this false doctrine, this heresy, could be resolved with one simple teaching application. Anyone?

That is taking the book of Acts as it is to be rightly analyzed – as a descriptive account of history, not a book of prescriptive doctrine. Hyperdispensationalism fails to do this, and they fall into the same error as other major teachings, such a Pentecostalism, the Church of Christ, and countless others.

Just as Joshua is a historical record of what occurred in Israel, and not a book of prescriptions, so Acts is a historical record of what occurred. Using Acts as a prescriptive book of doctrine leads to confused theology, and it diminishes the importance of the prescriptive epistles which follow it.

Mr. Atwood begins his sermon by citing 2 Timothy 2:15,16 –

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”

He then gives a chart of the breakdown of Scripture titled “Rightly dividing the Word of Truth 1:33.” Such a title is wholly unnecessary. Nobody in their right mind would purposefully wrongly divide the Word of Truth, and to post such a title immediately makes the claim that his way is that proper way, when in fact, he wholly misuses Scripture in the next 25 or so minutes.

At minute 1:48 he says of the four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, that “the doctrine has to do with the nation of Israel.” This is true with the synoptic gospels. He is wrong concerning John. See 1 Corinthians 1:1 & 2 Video in our playlist.

This error is because he fails to understand the layout of Scripture which reveals the dispensational model, and that structure is formed based on the prophecy of Noah over his sons Shem and Japheth in Genesis 9. To explain that would take too long, but you can refer our study on 1 Corinthians 1:1 & 2 in the 1 Corinthians playlist. In short, it is based on Noah’s words which state that Japheth will dwell in the tents of Shem. What is that referring to? Watch the study, learn, and show yourself approved.

At minute 6:00, Mr. Atwood speaks of the Leviticus 23 Feasts, specifically mentioning “the presentation of the two loaves.” Ironically, if he understood the Leviticus 23 Feasts, and what the two loves picture, his entire theology would unravel right there. But instead, he says that “everything about Pentecost was Jewish” 6:13. Is that correct? Anyone?

That is one of the largest errors in the church today – among Hebrew Roots movement people, among reformed theologians, and among the likes of Mr. Atwood. The feasts are never called Jewish Feasts, nor are they called “Feasts of Israel.” They are called what? Anyone? “Feasts of the Lord.”

They were given, as the book of Hebrews says of all of the Leviticus sacrifices and rituals, as parables. Even the dietary laws of Israel, to the last word, point to the work of Messiah. You want to talk about rightly dividing the word. Go read or watch, and understand, the dietary laws of Leviticus 11 from our Leviticus 11 sermons! Give examples.

They only look forward to the work of Messiah, and thus the gospel of Jesus Christ. All of the Leviticus 23 feasts point directly to the work of Christ Jesus on behalf of the gospel. To understand the details of the feasts, verse by verse, and their fulfillment in Christ, please be sure to watch the sermons on the Superior Word YT channel. The fact that these were observed by Israel means nothing. Paul explains their purpose in Colossians 2:16, 17 –

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

Paul is saying that in relation to the church, and the church’s relation to Christ Jesus. So, obviously, the Feasts are not “Jewish” feasts, but pictures of what Christ would do for the Church in the one and only gospel – the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is evidenced by the hand of Paul. No, not Peter – but Paul – in:

1) 1 Corinthians 5:7 (Passover), “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

2) 1 Corinthians 5:8 (Unleavened Bread), “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

3) 1 Corinthians 15:20 (Firstfruits) “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

4) Ephesians 1:13 (and elsewhere – Pentecost) “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Weeks, or Pentecost, is literally shown to be fulfilled in Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:15 –

“Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.”

“I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia…”

The presentation of the two loaves is what those verses are speaking of – one a Jew, one a Gentile, and thus one gospel message. Mr. Atwood failed to take in the whole counsel of God, and he missed what those loaves he spoke of were pointing to.

5) 1 Corinthians 15:47 (Yom Teruah) “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.”

6) Romans 3:24, 25 (Day of Atonement) “…being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood.” 

7) 2 Corinthians 5:7 (Tabernacles) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

The other feast of the Lord, the weekly Sabbath, is said by the author of Hebrews (who is Paul – see the opening statement to my Hebrews commentary) is also fulfilled (as Paul says in Colossians 2:16, 17) with the words, “…for we who have believed do enter that rest.”

All eight Feasts of the Lord are fulfilled by the Lord Jesus and are lived out in the one gospel for Jew and for Gentile – one gospel. They are not “Jewish” feasts. They are Feasts of the Lord, pertaining to the one, and only one Church which is the Body of Christ – Jew and Gentile. One gospel. Hyperdispensationalism fails the “rightly dividing the word” test.

Further, all of the sacrificial system of Israel, its dietary laws, and all other precepts are fulfilled in Christ – as revealed in the words of the apostle Paul, and they pertain to the one gospel of God, found in Jesus Christ. To gain understanding in these and to avoid the heresy of hyperdispensationalsim, you will need to go and watch all 52 of the Leviticus sermons.

And it needs to be understood that all of those feasts, and everything associated with those sacrifices centers on the Lord in their midst, Who is represented by the details of the tabernacle described in Exodus. In order to understand that, you would then need to watch all 105 of our Exodus sermons. In them, you will see the Lord revealed in one, and only one, gospel. But sound theology is not like heresy. It takes a lot of mental effort, and it is, in fact, hard work. Case closed. Hyperdispensationalism fails the “rightly dividing the word” test.

The next comment by Mr. Atwood that is of interest is found at minute 6:39, where he says while speaking of the Jews, “this church was a group of people saved based upon the gospel of the kingdom, that is repentance, water baptism and so forth.”

Mr. Atwood makes his claim based on his analysis from … of all things, the book of Acts. Can anyone in this congregation tell me how the book of acts is presented? Yes, it is a descriptive account of what occurred in the early church. It prescribes … nothing.

The fundamental error of almost all unsound New Testament theology is found in evaluating the book of Acts incorrectly. Pentecostalism? The book of Acts. The Church of Christ? The book of Acts. Hyperdispensationalism? Yes, the book of Acts. Mr. Atwood, and all hyperdispensationalists make the fundamental mistake of evaluating the book of Acts in a prescriptive manner. The book of Acts is 99.7236% descriptive. And the percent that is prescriptive is only prescriptive based on the words of Jesus which are found in the book, or words which are superseded at a later date when Paul’s writings were completed.

Mr. Atwood, as all hyperdispensationalists, fails to understand this, and he takes – particularly – Peter’s words out of their intended context because of this. The five main rules of hermeneutics are: Anyone? 1) Is it Prescriptive, 2) is it Descriptive, and 3, 4,& 5) Context, Context, Context.

In failing to maintain the intended context of the book, and in applying the words of Peter in a prescriptive manner, hyperdispensationalists run directly onto the heresy highway by proclaiming not one, but two gospels. That will continue to be revealed as we go on. When evaluating context, one needs to determine who speaking, to whom they are speaking, the reason (surrounding circumstances), etc. Hyperdispensationalists fail to do this and they thus destroy the context.

His next erroneous comment is at minute 6:55 – “…you are going to see that the church that Paul begins (that Christ begins with Paul rather) is something new; it is something altogether different that you find previous to the apostle Paul.” He states this because he has formed a hermeneutic which is based on a prescriptive reading of the book of Acts, and a misunderstanding of what Paul means when he speaks of the mystery which has been revealed to him.

Again, at minute 8:17, Mr. Atwood (speaking for hyperdispensationalists everywhere) says, “everything about Pentecost was Jewish; it was a Jewish feast day; it was the last days for Israel, not something new, not the birth of the church.” He says this after citing Acts 2:16, 17, and Acts 3:19 –

“But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.”

&

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

He is incorrect. Joel was prophesying of a time when collective Israel was given the opportunity to accept or reject the work of Christ. It will again be revealed just prior to the return of Christ because – as Paul says, “Jews request a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22).

The term “last days” is explained by the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1 as referring to the duration of the church age. The feasts of the Lord are not “Jewish.” They are “Messiahish,” to coin a phrase. Christ had just then been crucified, fulfilling the Feasts of the Lord and ushering in a New Covenant which includes Gentiles, and which is based on the one and only gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ.

And further, Amos is cited by James in Acts 15:16, 17. He first very clearly points out in Acts 15:15 that “God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.” He then says –

‘After this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the Lord who does all these things.’ Acts 15:16, 17

It is perfectly clear from this that they did not believe it was the “last days” for Israel. The context of Amos is that God would exile Israel while the Gentiles assumed the leadership role in the church. That is seen, perfectly clearly, in Amos 8:9, 10, which we will now read. They knew this was coming and they understood that the last days encompassed the entire church age, just as Paul indicates. They are in one accord, and there is one – and only one – gospel for Jew and Gentile. At minute 9:37, Mr. Atwood says, “What Paul had, the doctrine Paul had for the church, was not according to prophecy.” Then he cites Ephesians 3:1 – “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles.” He claims that prophecy is for Israel, but that the revelation of the mystery is for the Church which is the Body of Christ, meaning Gentiles.

But he fails to explain several things. First, Paul says that the mystery is revealed, as it says in Ephesians 3:5, “to His Holy apostles and prophets.” I have a difficult question for you – “How many apostles is Paul?” Anyone? Well, if you can count with one finger, then you know that it is a mystery revealed to more than one apostle.

The use of the plural indicates that all of the apostles had this revealed to them, and that is just what Peter and the others learned in Acts 10 & 11. The only difference between Paul and the other apostles – Peter in particular – is that they went to who? To the Jews. Paul was designated to go to the Gentiles. And that explains what the mystery is – another point that Mr. Atwood fails to grasp, and yet which is revealed by Paul, first in 1 Corinthians 2 –

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

He says the mystery was not known to the rulers of this age. This means both Jew and Gentile rulers – both participated in Christ’s crucifixion. This portion of the mystery was that Christ is God. If they had known this, they would not have crucified Him – obviously. But Christ had to die in order to atone for sins. If the mystery had been revealed, this would not have occurred. This isn’t a “Paul” mystery. It is simply a mystery which Paul explains. Thomas proclaimed Jesus “God” in John 20:28.

Secondly, Paul says – explicitly – that the gospel is the mystery in Ephesians 6:19. This is speaking of the one gospel of Christ’s incarnation, death, burial, and resurrection. That is the exact same gospel that Peter, James, John, and all other apostles proclaimed.

And thirdly, Paul explains what the mystery of this gospel is in Ephesians 3. This is not (not!) a complicated verse either. He says that the mystery which is revealed is “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel.” In other words, there is one body, and only one. That is “the mystery – that Gentiles are included in the one body with the Jews.” It is not two gospels, but one.

Messiah’s work for Israel (of whom he is referring to) is the same as Christ’s work for the Gentiles. They are one, and only one, body because there is one, and only one gospel. Paul is simply the apostle to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:8, etc) as Peter is the apostle to the Jews (Galatians 2:7) – bearing the same message.

This is evident first from 1 Corinthians 4, where Paul says, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” Who is Paul speaking of when he says “us?” Anyone? All one needs to do is to turn back one page and to the last verses of that chapter, to verse 4:1 –

“Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

Who is Cephas? Anyone? Cephas is the apostle Peter. Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were all on the same page, they all were stewards of the mysteries of God, and they all proclaimed the same gospel. This is more evident from what occurs in Galatians 2:11-21, which we will now turn to and read.

Peter had a moment of failing in the flesh and he departed from the one, and only, gospel. That is what precipitated the Council of Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15 and which establishes one, and only one, church. Peter, after learning his lesson, went so far as to warn against hyperdispensationalists and their false teaching of two gospels when he said –

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:14-16

No! Peter was on the same page, and he preached the same gospel, to the Jews as Paul did to the Gentiles. It is a gospel which has been twisted by many, including hyperdispensationalists – to the detriment of the body of Christ, which is the church – Jew and Gentile.

At minute 10:13, he says, “Listen, you cannot find in prophecy that there was going to be a time when God would save Jew and Gentile in one body by the gospel.” This is a hugely deceitful statement by introducing the words “in one body.” Christ’s work is for both Jew and Gentile. To divide what He has done, when it is explicitly said that He would save both Jew and Gentile through Christ is a poor way of analyzing what He promised, in advance. Further, if you simply take Mr. Atwood’s words and turn them around, you come to exactly the same conclusion:

“Listen, you cannot find in prophecy that there was going to be a time when God would save Jew and Gentile in two bodies by the gospel.” See, it doesn’t work that way either.

The reason is because that IS the mystery. That God was going to save the whole world, defeating the devil and bringing about salvation for all, through one gospel. That IS the mystery. Mr. Atwood, try Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:5, 6, which we will now read. In these verses, and elsewhere, He said He would save the Gentiles… He just didn’t say how. Now we know with the mystery revealed.

In minute 13:11, speaking of Paul, Mr. Atwood then says, “He brings in the gospel of God, the program has changed and today we are living in what is called a parenthetical program.” It is true that this is a parenthetical program – as revealed in rightly grasping the prophecy of Noah upon his sons, Shem and Japheth.

But it is wholly incorrect that Paul brought in the gospel of God. There is one, and only one gospel, brought in by Jesus. Paul simply revealed the same mystery in writing that the other apostles had to learn by experience and which they then confirmed in Acts 15.

In their conclusion, they cite the words of Amos 9, confirming that, in fact, the Gentiles are being take out as a people for the name of the Lord, and only then will Israel again be visited when they call on the Lord through the one – and only – gospel. This is why the focus goes from Peter (Acts 1-12) to Paul (Acts 13-28). In order to understand this, you need to understand how Noah’s prophecy sets the entire prophetic scenario of the coming ages and dispensations. Something hyperdispensationalists have no idea about.

Mr. Atwood then says at minute 14:41, “During that ministry, Peter was preaching exactly what Jesus Christ had taught him to preach. What was that? It was the gospel of the kingdom and it was the great commission.” In this, he is saying that the gospel of the kingdom is not the gospel of the church. This is entirely wrong as is evidenced by Acts 1 –

“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8

And this is exactly what they did, as the book of Acts reveals, in exactly that order – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth – in that order. The “kingdom” being referred to by the apostles, and which Jesus completely skipped over in His answer, is the literal, physical kingdom where He will rule among Israel after they have received the one and only gospel.

The mandate was not understood by them, obviously, because they had to almost be forced into speaking to Gentiles. And even after the Gentiles were received, they still couldn’t believe it, but they did accept it as it clearly says in Acts 11.

It was Paul, properly trained in Old Testament theology, who was able to properly communicate the message to the Gentiles. Not because of a different gospel, but because he had an understanding of the true, and only, gospel – the mystery of Gentiles being brought into the commonwealth of Israel. Again, go review Acts 10 & 11; and Galatians 2 – among other such passages).

At minute 15:30, Mr Atwood states that salvation of Jews is based on repentance and water baptism as is recorded in Acts 2:38. This is incorrect. He is taking those verses as prescriptive, and he is failing to account for the reason for Acts 2, 8, and 10. Again, to understand why these various accounts differ, one needs to watch the Romans 6:3-4 study in our Romans playlist.

Acts is a historical record, and it is not to be taken as prescriptive. There is one, and only one, gospel. The events at Pentecost required Peter’s statement for a specific reason. Anyone? They had just crucified the Lord, who was prophesied in their own Scriptures. They HAD to repent of this.

If you understand what the Greek word metanoeó means, to change one’s mind, you would understand that they HAD to repent. Baptism was required as a public acknowledgment that they were aligning with the Lord and against the leadership of Israel. It is the same reason why it says this in Luke 7 –

“And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” Luke 7:29, 30

Peter’s words required repentance and baptism for exactly this reason. It doesn’t prescribe it for any Jew – not one – beyond that point. This is evident because in Acts 18:24-28 Apollos did neither and yet he had the Spirit based on faith, despite only knowing the baptism of John. Ooops. He then spoke to Jews in Acts 19:1-7, saying nothing of repentance, and he, in fact, argues against repentance because that was the purpose of John’s baptism.

But! He did baptize them into Jesus, after which they received the Spirit. None of these are prescriptive, all are different in what occurs, and each is given to reveal God’s working out the New Covenant differently based on the surrounding circumstances. The accounts are only historical and descriptive. Case closed. Hyperdispensationalism fails the “rightly dividing the word test.”

At minute 18:25, he says, “Paul was given a new gospel.” False and heresy. Paul’s gospel was spoken to both Jews and Gentiles. In Acts 13, he speaks only to Jews, and he gives the exact same gospel to them that Peter gave to them, summing up TO THEM (JEWS) that “everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:39). Ooops! The entire account can be reviewed in Acts 13:16-41. There is one, and only one gospel.

At minute 18:34, he says, “Paul recognized that the nation of Israel was no longer God’s chosen people. In Romans 11, you see Peter is preaching to get Israel saved; Paul is preaching with the understanding that Israel is not going to be saved.” Then he cites Romans 11:13-15 and says, “Peter didn’t believe that the reconciling of them was going to be the casting away of the world. Peter believed that the salvation of them was going to be the reconciling of the world. … And Peter believed that had Israel been saved then they would go out as a kingdom of priests and evangelize the world, and they would carry out the great commission.”

This highly convoluted statement disregards what sharing the gospel is. Does anyone know what sharing the gospel is? Anyone? It is a priestly function. Thus, both Peter & Paul, and any other person who shares the gospel is performing a priestly duty. In Romans 15:16, Paul speaks of the grace given to him by God –

“…that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

The word “ministering” is the Greek word hierourgeo. It means to minister as a priest. The NASB and other versions rightly translate this as “ministering as a priest the gospel of God.” In other words, the act of sharing the gospel is a priestly function. This dispels the hyperdispensationalist view that when Jesus refers to “having made us kings and priests to His God and Father,” it is only speaking of Israel. That is a false analysis based on their false gospel.

At minute 21:06 Mr Atwood says to “compare Acts 2 with Luke 24:47.” And, so we will –

“Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’” Luke 24:46, 47

Atwood is saying that Jesus’ words of Luke 24:47 match Acts 2, where Peter says to repent, thus proving this is a different gospel. What does Paul say in Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:9&10; 2 Corinthians 12:21; & 2 Timothy 2:5? Anyone? He says, “Repent.” Just because Jesus says that repentance and remission of sins is to be preached, does not mean repentance is required for salvation.

It is a requirement for right living after remission of sins. All preachers are to preach repentance because of the remission of sins. This is what Paul states in his epistles and it is in accord with Jesus’ words of Luke 24:47. “Repent” means to change one’s mind.

Peter was telling the people of Israel to change their mind about what they had just done to Christ. Any person who has been given the gospel and rejects it must – by default – repent of that in order to be saved. They “change their mind about what they have already decided upon.” Any person saved is expected to repent afterward of their sin. They will not lose their salvation if they don’t, but it is expected. 1 Corinthians 5 gives an example of someone who fails to do this.

At minute 21:59, Atwood says, “Today salvation is not by repentance and water baptism.” That is a fallacy known as a category mistake. Nobody who believes in salvation by grace through faith believes this. Rather, those things are mandated as acts of obedience. Paul mandates that we repent of sin, but it does not change our salvation if we do not.

Acts 15:10, 11, though not prescriptive, call the Gentiles “disciples,” and clearly refers to them as being on the same page and in the same gospel as those Jews in the council of Jerusalem. The mandate for baptizing disciples, given by Jesus after His establishment of the New Covenant and the ONE gospel of grace, stands. It is disobedience to the Lord to teach that Gentiles are not commanded to be baptized. It is not a salvific issue, but it is an issue of obedience to the Lord’s command.

Unfortunately, those hyperdispensationalists who are saved will lose rewards for failing to be obedient to the Lord’s command of baptism. And those hypers who teach this false doctrine will have to stand before the Lord and give an account for their false teaching.

Romans 2:4 says, “the goodness of God (meaning His grace) leads you to repentance.” Repentance is an expectation of salvation, not a requirement for it. As evidence of this, what was the response of the Jews who contended with Peter in Acts 11 when he explained why he went to Cornelius’ house in Acts 10? Anyone?

“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Acts 11:18

Was there any note of repentance in Acts 10 at Cornelius’ house? No. None. Here, let’s read Acts 10:34-44. They heard the word, they believed, and they received the Holy Spirit. After this, they were baptized, according to, and in obedience to, the word of the Lord. Hyperdispensationalists not only mishandle the word, but they actively work against Christ’s prescription, which is to be baptized. That is the command of the Lord, to which their heretical teaching is disobedient.

At minute 22:08, Atwood laughingly says, “Today, you are not required to lay your possessions at the apostle’s feet.” That is an absurd and irrelevant comment. That was never required. Those who did so did it voluntarily, as explicitly stated by Peter in Acts 5:4. Case closed. In this hyperdispensationalism fails the “rightly dividing the word” test.

At minute 24:15, Atwood tries to divide the gospel of Paul from that of Peter. In 2 Corinthians 5:18 which speaks of the ambassadors of Christ and the ministry of reconciliation. Who is he speaking of? It is found in 2 Corinthians 1:19 – Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. But who then does Peter refer to in 1 Peter 5:2? Silvanus.

Same message, same reconciliation, same ambassador. In 1 Peter 5:13, Peter then greets the people again – along with Mark. This is the same Mark who carried the same gospel with Paul and Barnabas, and who is cited by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:24, and etc. Case closed. In this hyperdispensationalism fails the “rightly dividing the word” test.

As a summary of the nature of there being one, and only one, gospel, we see that the Church is the body of Christ as is made explicit in Ephesians 1:22, 23 –

“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 3 then demonstrates that the body of Christ is of the Jews, and Gentiles, and that they share in that same body –

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.” Ephesians 3:1-6

It is that simple. How anyone can miss that is utterly astonishing. It demonstrates a very, very poor handling of Scripture and a lack of scholarship on their part to put forth this heresy.

If one understands the structure of the book of Acts, following the hyperdispensationalist model, one would have three gospels (or more), not two as they claim, and not one as the Bible teaches. Acts 2, 8, 10 would imply THREE gospels using their lack of logic.

Hyperdispensationalism’s logic breaks down in Romans 10:9, 10. It is claimed by some of them that those verses apply only to Jews because Paul is speaking of Jews there. If that is so, then it contradicts what they claim about the supposed “gospel of the Jews” of Acts 2:38. Further, if it applies to both Jew and Gentile – (as it does!) and as is obvious from the singular pronouns used – then it still destroys their analysis. Again, hyperdispensationalism fails the “rightly dividing the word” test.

Hyperdispensationalism destroys any meaning of the words of 1 Corinthians 1:12, 13 –

“Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

The answer is “No, Christ is not divided, nor is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul lumps himself in with all of the other apostles, demonstrating as clearly as can be seen, that they all proclaimed the same gospel. It is a gospel which includes the mystery revealed to them that Gentiles would be fellow heirs and of the same body with the Jews –

“Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?” 1 Corinthians 9:4, 5

And again in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 –

“Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”

And again in 1 Corinthians 4:9 –

“For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.”

The words of Galatians 2:11-21, that we already read, tie Peter, and what he was doing, in with the one and only gospel. Again, anyone who reads those verses, and who cannot make this connection, has absolutely no discernment in biblical context. There is one gospel, and only one.

The church started with the New Covenant. There is one covenant, and only one. The Jews simply missed it as a nation. But there is one church. This extremely bad doctrine tries to divide what happened with the Jews and what happened with the Gentiles. That is heresy. There is one church, and only one.

When they say that “prophecy belongs to the Jews, and the mysteries belong to the church,” they completely abuse Scripture in order to come to this conclusion, as we have seen. It is a failed system which arises out of a faulty hermeneutic, which comes out of an incorrect analysis of the purpose and meaning behind the book of Acts.

The stewards of the mysteries are the apostles, including both Peter and Paul as we saw in 1 Corinthians 4:1 and which is explained by the previous verses as Paul, Apollos, and Cephas (meaning Peter), and referring to all of the apostles.

The Land promise, and the promise of the Kingdom during the millennium, is to the Jews. That is correct, but that it will still be under the one covenant, is obvious on the surface. Christ died once, He ushered in one New Covenant, and His body is the church, of which is comprised of (as we have seen) both Jew and Gentile.

To say that what happened at the beginning with Peter and the Jews wasn’t a part of the church, is to say that they are not under the same covenant as we are.

Unfortunately, people look at what Jesus did as somehow only being effectual for one group or another – such as baptism only belonging to Jews. If that is so, then the Lord’s Supper (which predates the mandate for baptism and said nothing of the “nations”) is also only for the Jews. How absurd that is!

Paul outlines the same Lord’s supper in 1 Corinthians 11 that Jesus outlined in the gospels. It is almost word for word what Luke records in Luke 22:19 & 20. As that applies to the Gentiles, because it is recorded for the church in 1 Corinthians 11, then the mandate for baptism, which comes after the institution of the Lord’s Supper, and which is proclaimed from Jesus’ own mouth, also applies to the Gentiles. There is not one instance of a convert – Jew or Gentile – in the New Testament, who was not subsequently baptized after having received Christ Jesus – not one.

Another abuse of Scripture by hyperdispensationists is stating that Galatians 2 speaks of two different gospels. There it says –

“But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles).” Galatians 2:7, 8

That may be the worst hermeneutic yet. First, the words “the gospel” before the words “for the circumcised” are inserted. It is not in the original.

The Greek reads “…that I have been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, just as Paul of the circumcision.” There is one gospel with two heralds of that one gospel. Secondly, the reason for the division between Paul and Peter wasn’t for the proclamation of a second gospel, but that Paul’s ministry within the one gospel was to the Gentiles.  From my commentary on the book of Galatians –

“Having said this, it does not mean that Peter’s ministry was solely one of evangelizing Jews (as was noted concerning Cornelius above), nor was Paul’s ministry solely one of evangelizing Gentiles. There was also not a different gospel transmitted by Peter than that of Paul. Rather, there is, as the Bible scholar Lightfoot notes, “…a distinction of sphere, and not a difference of type.”

This is absolutely certain by Paul’s comments in Galatians as well as Peter’s comments in his second epistle which, for clarity of thought, we will again cite –

“…and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:15, 16

There, Peter cites who? Paul! And when he does, he is in complete agreement with him. Hyperdispensationalism is pure poison.

Hyperdispensationalists use verses like Matthew 15:24 and Matthew 10:16 where Jesus told the apostles to not go to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans, but only to the lost sheep of Israel, to prove that there are two gospels. Does anyone know what the problem with that is? Anyone?

That is an entirely different dispensation (law) and it was for the set purpose of His first fulfilling the law which had been given to Israel. It has absolutely nothing to do with the gospel which could only come through the New Covenant in His blood. When hypers use that verse, they then introduce a contradiction into Scripture, because Philip was told to go to who in Acts 8? A Gentile. And Peter was explicitly told to go to who in Acts 10? The Gentiles. As is typical with hyperdispensationalism, it is a complete mixing of apples and oranges to come to a faulty, heretical, conclusion.

Hyperdispenationalists say that in Matthew that Christ told the disciples about how he must suffer and die and rise on the third day, and that in the very next verse says that it was hidden from them, it then must be that they did not know about the death, burial, and resurrection and so their gospel is different than Paul’s, because Paul’s gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection.

I’m not even sure if that deserves a response. It is such a ridiculous claim that only an infant in the faith could come up with it.

First, that was before, not after, Christ’s crucifixion. Of course they didn’t know what He was talking about.

Secondly, the very thing they state in this is the thing Peter later proclaims five times in both Acts and in his epistles as the gospel of Christ. In fact, in 1 Peter 1, Peter mentions the resurrection, the crucifixion, and what that means for the believer, and then he says explicitly, “Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (v. 25).

The problem with hyperdispensationalism, again, lies mainly with their abusive hermeneutics in regards to the book of Acts. It is the chronic problem with most denominations – they are using it as a PRESCRIPTIVE book. It is not. It simply DESCRIBES what occurred. If they cite Acts 2, for example, to say that the Jews are required to be baptized and repent for salvation, they have completely missed what is occurring.

That was a one-time statement, to Israel, for a specific purpose (which I explain in my Romans 6:3-4 study). Almost all denominations fail to take Acts as it is given, as a historical account of what occurred, and as a merely descriptive account. Anytime you listen to a preacher talk about Acts, ask yourself, “Are they citing Acts in this case as prescriptive?” If they are, you can toss that analysis right out of the commentary. In this, you will then stand approved in the context of what is being relayed.

Two more points and we will be done. When Paul says, “my gospel,” in Romans 2:16 and 16:25, that does not mean “a different gospel.” Paul is not claiming authority to the gospel, as if he is its author. Instead, he is claiming authority to it as the herald of the Author’s message.

His commission stands directly from the words of Jesus in Acts 9:15. There Jesus states to Ananais, “…he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” This then places Paul in opposition to any false gospel (such as that of hyperdispensationalism). His word is the authoritative word of God as transmitted through him, just as was the word of the prophets of old. The very fact that Jesus said he was to bear His name before the children of Israel means that it is the same gospel which Peter proclaimed.

Romans 1:11 says Paul’s hope was to “impart some spiritual gift that you may be established.” He said this to Jew and Gentile. In Romans 16:25, he notes that it is the Lord who in fact is able to so establish them. And this is, as he says, “according to my gospel.” In other words, it is speaking of the doctrines which were set forth in Romans, written by him. This gospel is entirely Christ centered: We were predestined for salvation, because God foreknew us (Romans 8:29); our calling is of the Lord (Romans 8:30); salvation is of the Lord (Romans 10:9); justification is of the Lord (Romans 3:24); sanctification is of the Lord; this came through the work of the Holy Spirit who testifies to the work of Christ (Romans 15:16)); and glorification is of the Lord (Romans 8:30).

As I said, Paul speaks to both Jew and Gentile in that one epistle (see Romans 2:17 (Jew) and Romans 1:13 (Gentile), etc). Every one of these precepts belongs to both Jew and Gentile. It is one gospel and only one.

Finally, as Revelation ends the Bible, I will devote ten seconds to the hyperdispensationalist claim that “Revelation 1-3, and especially the seven letters to the seven churches) is not directed to the Gentile-led church which is under the Gentile’s gospel, but that it is directed to the Jew under the Jew’s gospel.” The claim is that all of the symbolism in those chapters is “Jewish” symbolism and has nothing to do with the church.

Yes, as nutty as that sounds, this is what they teach. I’ve already shown that Paul highlights all of the Feasts of the Lord, revealing that their fulfillment is in Him. I have shown that all of the symbolism of the dietary laws finds its fulfillment in Him. The same is true with every detail of what is found in Revelation 1-3.

It all points to Christ. He is what the ancient types looked forward to. That is why Moses was told concerning the details of the tabernacle and its implements, “And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40).

The reason for the Old Testament symbolism is because there is a heavenly reality to which those things pointed. That reality is Christ. To understand this, you will need to watch all of the Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers sermons, but you will have spent your time far more wisely than getting caught up in the ridiculous, heretical, anti-semitic teaching known as hyperdispensationalism.

The seven letters were written to seven Gentile churches, and they carry the symbolism of Christ that John revealed to them, just as Paul did in his letters.

I have a friend who has struggled with this heresy. When I explained to him that it is Christ’s fulfillment of these types and shadows in Christ, as Colossians 2:16, 17 says, which completes the Old Covenant and which is then revealed to all – Jew and Gentile – in the New Covenant, he said this –

“It’s like a light bulb went off Charlie after talking to you. It has to be one gospel that gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ. And although the Old Testament foreshadows these things coming, even if the 12 apostles didn’t fully understand that gospel or see the gospel clearly it’s the same gospel that Paul was teaching. The only difference is that Paul had the further Revelation given to him as well as a few other things in his ministry such as the rapture but it’s the same gospel. Everything is summed up in Jesus Christ. It’s all about him. It’s his righteousness,… his shed blood, his fulfillment of everything. I understand this.”

Good job Mark! That is absolutely it. Paul’s revelation was simply that this gospel includes – in totality – the Gentiles. The others weren’t trained in the law, and thus they had no way to process this. This is why Paul was selected. He was a fully trained Pharisee that could make all of the connections that the other apostles lacked.

Today, you have been given a lot of information, and I am not going to address this issue again, in part or in whole. I simply got tired of people sending me one verse at a time and asking me to explain it for them. Scripture tennis is a pointless exercise. If you remember this one thing, you will be through with this ridiculous heresy – Acts is not a prescriptive epistle. It is a historical account of what occurred.

When someone preaches a sermon and they use the events of Acts in a prescriptive manner, then ignore what you heard. That person has improperly handled Scripture and you can reject his analysis. Stick to Paul during this dispensation, but remember that what Paul teaches in his epistles is in perfect harmony with the words of the other epistles of the other apostles. The church began with Christ completing the work set out for Him to accomplish.

When He sent the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the church – the one and only church with one and only gospel – began, thus fulfilling that feast, the final Feasts of the Lord to be fulfilled. Each time a person comes to Christ, they receive the same Spirit that was given on that day. They have their Pentecost moment, and thus the church for them, as individual members, begins.

If you want a copy of this talk, it is available on the Superior Word website in written format, or I can email it to you as well.

I would ask two things of you before we close. The first is to study to show yourself approved, which includes leaving behind the heresy of hyperdispensationalism, and two, if you have never called on Christ through the one and only gospel, today is the day to do so. Call on Christ, and be reconciled to Him through His shed blood.