Dividing the Word of Truth

PREFACE

Throughout the years many who have enquired about the book Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth have approached me. In every instance I have corrected them informing them that this set of Bible notes is called simply Dividing the Word of Truth omitting the adverb, Rightly.

My sincere prayer is that these notes do rightly divide God’s Word. However, I realize that I am far from being infallible. Undoubtedly there are human errors included here among the glorious eternal truths of the Scriptures. I cannot certify that these studies are absolutely correct in every detail. However, I do certify that before God I have been sincerely honest. I have striven for perfection in stating the divine truths of God’s Word. My humble prayer is that this set of notes could honestly be called Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.

Most of these notes were compiled and formulated in Jamaica as I taught in Bible College there during our first term as missionaries. Afterwards these notes were taught in Bible Doctrine classes at Conquerors Bible College. In 1963 these notes were circulated bound in a loose-leaf folder. Since then Dividing the Word of Truth has had many printings, been translated in several foreign languages and circulated around the world. It has been used as a textbook in many Bible Colleges, and numerous Pastors have taught these notes in their local assemblies. It was for this purpose that these studies were compiled and made available to others.

I commend this book of elementary studies on doctrine to all who may read and study. May the Holy Spirit anoint these truths to the minds and hearts of the readers, and may God use these studies to lead each student into a deeper understanding of revealed truth.

Ralph Vincent Reynolds

December 26, 1986

PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD

Sixty years of Pastoral Ministry, Missionary Service, Bible School Instruction and Administration, Camp Meeting and Conference Bible Teaching and Board Member service, both at home and abroad, has certainly given deserving credence to the author of this fine instructional book. There are few who have established themselves in the fellowship of the United Pentecostal Church International, as an exceller in so many areas of ministry. Neither is the author a novice in the field of writing, having authored a number of other fine books.

The tens of thousands who have been privileged to hear his oral ministry will agree that in Ralph V. Reynolds we have a teacher of men, one who has undoubtedly effected and influenced the minds and hearts of so many. Ralph V. Reynolds has the skill in writing to present material, which enables the reader to grasp clearly the meaning intended. Seldom does one read material so simply written which at the same time contains so much weight of profound knowledge and wisdom.

Students of all walks of life and from all nations will find within the confines of this book great truths that are strongly founded upon Scripture and that will leave a lasting impression on the intellect. Ralph V. Reynolds is sincere in spirit, qualified in knowledge, and solid in doctrine.

The author has painstakingly arranged his material with great care choosing with clarity what is of intellectual and spiritual value, and has left us with an undeniable treasury wherewith our minds may both be strengthened.

Raymond A. Sirstad

This book, Dividing the Word of Truth, is full of many fundamental truths. It is a book that has application to every Christian who is interested in the Word of God. Who is there that has no need of knowledge in Christian Doctrine? Nobody! For this cause Dividing the Word of Truth should be in the home of every Christian. Furthermore, it should not only be in every home but it should also be diligently and prayerfully studied. If it is, then the student will become deeply rooted in the most important book ever, the Bible. You will definitely be blessed as you go through this study.

I feel deeply honored to be able to publish this and other books written by (my grandfather) Ralph V. Reynolds. It can be honestly said that his preaching, teaching and writing are exemplified in his living. He has received many flowers through his life and many good things have been said about him, but above all that has been said and done, Ralph V. Reynolds is a Christian.

Daniel R. Sirstad

You may purchase other books by Ralph V Reynolds by going to www.alphabiblepublications.com.

UNIT ONE

SCRIPTURES

DOCTRINE

THE BIBLE

HOW THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN

VERBAL INSPIRATION

HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE

SUPPOSED CONTRADICTIONS

DOCTRINE

A. MEANING OF DOCTRINE: The word doctrine means teaching or truth. It is impossible to teach the bible without teaching doctrine. Doctrine is the form, and beauty to the message we proclaim.

B. IMPORTANCE OF DOCTRINE: The importance of Bible Doctrine may be seen in the following Scriptures:

Acts 2:42 - Continued in Apostles’ doctrine.

I Timothy 4:13 - Attendance to reading, to doctrine.

I Timothy 4:16 - To thy doctrine.

I Timothy 5:17 - Labour in the word and doctrine.

II Timothy 3:16 - Profitable for doctrine.

II Timothy 4:2 - Longsuffering and doctrine.

II John 9 - Abideth not in the doctrine of Christ.

C. PRINCIPLES TO BE REMEMBERED IN UNDERSTANDING DOCTRINE:

1. Truth cometh by Divine Revelation. There is no better teacher of Divine Truth than the Holy Spirit, the author of the Bible. Many truths are mysteries, which are hidden from the unregenerate mind and can only be understood as the Spirit makes them clear.

When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13).

The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned. (I Corinthians 2:14).

2. Next to the Holy Spirit, Scripture is the best interpreter of the Bible.

3. Truth is an agreement with the whole tenor of Scripture. Doctrine should never be established on one isolated passage of Scripture unless that doctrine is at the same time in harmony with the entire Bible.

4. Truth is always well balanced and sound. Extreme viewpoints are more likely to be in error than the middle of the road belief.

5. Truth always exalts Christ. Any teaching that degrades Jesus is erroneous.

6. Truth always has a sanctifying effect in the life of the believer. A man’s daily walk will tell whether or not he is a believer of true doctrine.

D. IMMUTABILITY OF DOCTRINE: The Word of God does not change and is absolutely eternal and unchangeable in its nature.

The truth of the Lord endureth for ever. (Psalm 117:2).

This means that there is no true doctrine apart from that taught by the apostles and there is the great necessity of continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. Acts 2:42.

E. THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS DOCTRINE: The proper approach to the study of God’s Word is to have a healthy hunger to know TRUTH for the sake of TRUTH alone. There are many motives for the study of the Bible but above all others this should be the most important.

THE BIBLE

A. NAMES AND TITLES OF THE BIBLE:

1. THE BIBLE: Bible is derived from the Greek biblia and means the books. Ancient books were written upon the biblus or papyrus reed and from this custom came the Greek word, which finally came to be applied to the sacred books.

It is not merely a book - it is the book, which stands as high above all other books as the heaven is high above the earth.

References: Mark 12:26; Luke 3:4; Luke 20:42; Acts 1:20; Acts 7:42; Psalm 7:42; and Hebrews 10:7.

2. SCRIPTURES: This word is derived from Latin and means the writings.

References: Matthew 22:29; Luke 24:27; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; Romans 1:2; II Timothy 3:15; and II Peter 3:16.

3. WORD OF GOD: This term is most significant and complete. It expresses the thought that the Bible is God speaking to man. References: Mark 7:13; Romans 10:17; and Hebrews 4:12.

Both Word of God and Scriptures were favorite titles with our Lord.

4. OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS: Testament means Covenant and is the term by which God was pleased to designate the relation that existed between Himself and His people. Old Testament: Calling and history of the Jewish nation. New Testament: History and application of the redemption wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ.

References: Luke 22:20; II Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:15; and Hebrews 12:24.

B. SYMBOLS OF THE BIBLE:

1. A critic or discerner - Hebrews 4:12. Who would dare to be a critic of the Bible when it is our critic.

2. A lamp or light - Psalm 119:105 & 130; Proverbs 6:23. Like the star in the East it will lead any honest seeker to Jesus. Like the seven-branched candlestick in the tabernacle it shines with a perfect light upon divine things. Like the fiery pillar it lights up the whole pathway of the child of God throughout his wilderness journey. II Peter 1:19 - shineth in a dark place.

3. A mirror - II Corinthians 3:18; James 1:25.

4. A laver - Ephesians 5:26.

5. Food - Job 23:12; Matthew 4:4.

(a) Milk for babes - I Corinthians 3:2.

(b) Bread for the hungry - Deuteronomy 8:3; Isaiah 55:1-2.

(c) Strong meat for men - I Corinthians 3:2; Hebrews 5:12-14.

(d) Honey - Psalm 19:10; Psalm 119:103.

6. Gold - Psalm 19:10.

7. Fire - Jeremiah 20:9 & 23:29.

8. Hammer - Jeremiah 23:29. Some men’s hearts are as hard as rock and it takes the steady beating of the Word to break them.

9. Sword - Ephesians 6:17.

10. Seed - Luke 8:11; Isaiah 5:10; and I Peter 1:23.

(a) We should sow in all places. Isaiah 32:20.

(b) We should sow at all times. Ecclesiastes 11:6.

(c) Soil should be prepared by love and compassion. Psalm 126:6.

11. Rain and snow - Isaiah 55:10-11.

HOW THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN

A. THREE TIMES GOD WROTE: We have a record of Deity writing only three times.

1. Ten Commandments - on tables of stone - Exodus 31:18.

2. On Belshazzar’s wall - Daniel.

3. On the floor of the Temple of our Lord - John 8:6.

First was with the giving of the law - broken by man. Last a special act of grace - trampled under foot by man.

B. HOW WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN? All scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Timothy 3:16). Given by inspiration of God comes from one Greek word meaning God-breathed. "But above all, remember that no prophecy in Scripture will be found to have come from the prophet’s own prompting; for never did prophecy come by human will, but men sent by God spoke as they were impelled by the Holy Spirit. (II Peter 1:20, 21; Weymouth).

C. DEFINITION OF INSPIRATION: Inspired means literally God-breathed. It comes from the Greek word theopneustos or God breathed out. It is the strong, conscious inbreathing of God into men, qualifying them to give utterance to truth. It is God speaking through men, and the Bible is therefore just as much the Word of God as though God spoke every single word of it with His own lips.

The Scriptures are the result of divine inbreathing just as human speech is uttered by the breathing through a man’s mouth. "Holy men of God, qualified by the infusion of the breath of God, wrote in obedience to the divine command, and were kept from all error, whether they revealed truths previously unknown or recorded truths already familiar. (Evans).

D. DEFINITION OF REVELATION: Revelation is that act of God by which He directly communicates truth not known before to the human mind. Revelation discovers new truth while inspiration superintends the communicating of that truth. All in the Bible has not been revealed but all inspired.

E. DEFINITION OF ILLUMINATION: Illumination is the influence of the Spirit upon the minds of men that they might understand spiritual things. References: I Corinthians 2:14; Matthew 16:17.

Revelation - A divine revealing of the mind of God. Illumination - A divine action on the mind of men.

F. WHY WE BELIEVE IN THE FULL INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE:

1. Jesus gave the Old Testament His full sanction (Matthew 5:18).

2. It is the product of one Master Mind. Although it contains 66 books, written by 40 writers over 1600 years, it has ONE AUTHOR.

3. The types, symbols, and ceremonies reveal it as divine. e.g. Christ in the tabernacle.

4. Bible Prophecies stamp it as divine. (I Peter 1:10-11).

5. Moral standards of the Bible prove it to be divine. (I Peter 1:16).

6. Creator of man is the Author of the Bible - reveals man to himself.

7. It reveals the only way of Salvation - so plain but yet deep.

8. By its fruits we know the Book is divine (Romans 11:33). It always brings good.

9. Bible will outlast the universe (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18).

10. The world recognizes it as divine. It is THE BOOK. It has been translated into more languages than any other book. Whole libraries have been written to interpret it and before it sages bow.

VERBAL INSPIRATION

A. DEFINITION OF VERBAL INSPIRATION: Verbal Inspiration means that each word was inspired in the original writings. Mistakes could have been made by the translators but impossible in the original. If the Bible is verbally inspired, there should be - there can be - no errors in it; God could not make a mistake. If on the other hand it is not fully and verbally inspired, then the assumption is that some parts are from God, while other parts are purely human; in these latter parts we should naturally expect to find errors. If the thoughts only are inspired, then the Bible contains the Word of God but is not such in its essence. This, of course, is error. We believe absolutely in Verbal Inspiration.

B. REASONS FOR VERBAL INSPIRATION:

1. The writers themselves say so.

(a) Moses

(i) Exodus 20:1 - God spoke these words.

(ii) Exodus 24:4 - Moses wrote all the words of the Lord.

(iii) Exodus 35:1 - These are the words that the Lord commanded.

(b) David - II Samuel 23:2 - His Word was in my tongue.

(c) Isaiah - Isaiah 1:2 - The Lord has spoken.

(d) Jeremiah

(i) Jeremiah 1:4 - The Word of the Lord came unto me.

(ii) Jeremiah 1:9 - I have put my words in thy mouth.

(e) Ezekiel - Ezekiel 1:3 - The Word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel.

(f) Amos - Amos 1:1 - The words that he saw concerning Israel.

(g) John - Revelation 1:1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave me.

2. The writers often did not understand what they wrote. God gave