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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is tithing a command for chriatians? | 2 Cor 9:7 | stjohn | 214813 | ||
Hi Keliy, I had to think about what you wrote and reflect on the verse you put forth as a NT word context for for the explanation or definition for the word or, concept/doctrine, of Dispensationalism. At least I think thats what you may have had in mind. I'm not sure if you did, so please forgive if this is not the case. I hope that was clear, if not, I'll try to reword it. But anyway, I don't think that the context of the word dispensation is really having the same meaning that is put forth in the doctrine of Dispensationalism. Rather it just means to dispense or give something out, in this case, the Gospel. Here's something John Gill wrote on Eph 3:2 that may help. "Ver. 2. If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God,.... Not the free love and favour of God in his heart towards his people; nor internal grace wrought in the heart of the apostle; but either the gift of grace, as in Eph 3:7 qualifying him for the work of the ministry; and so the Ethiopic version renders it, "if ye have heard the gift of the grace of God"; or rather the doctrine of grace, the Gospel, the subject matter of which is the grace of God; it is a declaration of the free grace of God in the salvation of men; and it is the means of conveying the grace of God into their hearts. Now the apostle had a dispensation to preach this Gospel committed to him; he acted by authority, and as a steward of the mysteries of God; and which he faithfully dispensed to the family of Christ, who appointed him to this service: this the Ephesians had heard of, from the relations of the apostle, and others, and knew it themselves, having often heard him preach, for he was with them for the space of three years; wherefore this is not said as if he questioned, whether they had heard or not, but as taking it for granted that they had: "if", or "seeing ye have heard", etc." Gill Note: The NASB and ESV renders the word as stewardship, meaning that good stewardship of the word, or grace of God is, of course to dispense it, or, give it out. Hence, "dispensation of the grace of God" John |
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2 | Is tithing a command for chriatians? | 2 Cor 9:7 | keliy | 214814 | ||
Hi John, As Dispensations go, we are said to be between the Cross of Christ and the Crown of Christ, which is referred to as the dispensation of Grace. But since the topic is about tithing, I will offer the following, hoping both topics will be addressed. There are reasons why the question of tithing to the church is constantly debated, yet never adequately resolved. It's the misunderstanding of people who try to answer the question through Scripture, but not realizing that tithing is an OT principle, and the Church is not mentioned in the Old Testament. The Church, as Christ's Body was hidden from the Old Testament prophets, and was a "Mystery" first revealed to Paul, and disclosed by him in Eph. 3:1-10. That which was dispensed to Israel was written and recorded for our ensample and admonition, (1 Cor. 10:11), but we must not apply to the Church that which does not belong to it. We see more clearly then that to misapply Scripture is to not be "Rightly Dividing the Word" and leads us into confusion and error. The purpose of God was not made known to the Patriarchs and the Prophets of the OT. Christ was the first one to give us a hint of it, when He said of Peter's inspired confession, "On this rock I will build MY CHURCH." (Matt. 16:18). Paul calls it "The Mystery, which in OT Ages was not made known unto the sons of men" (Eph. 3:3-6), and that it was "hid in God" from the "beginning of the World." (Eph. 3:9). So, you see how God unfolds His plan, or 'dispenses' knowledge of it to His people as He deems fit That the Gentiles were to be "saved" was no Mystery. (Rom 9:24-30). The "Mystery" was God's purpose to unite Jews and Gentiles into The Church, towards the formation of His Body, The Church. (1 Cor. 12:12-13). There is so much more, but I must close here for the sake of brevity. I am undecided if Dispensationalists or Covenantalists are completely right or wrong, because I find most times that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. In the end, we will know as we are known, and eternity is still very young. Blessings, keliy |
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3 | Is tithing a command for chriatians? | 2 Cor 9:7 | stjohn | 214815 | ||
Yes, I tend to agree, though I really don't know for sure. I was trying to be circumspect, as not to lead to a Dispensationalism debate on the forum. There are those who fear labels because of mans tendency toward hyper-doctrineism. I believe many doctrines start out to and would probably continue to have some merit, but then mans fallen nature gets hold of it, and.... people get into an uproar because of strongholds, throwing the baby out with the bath-water, so I think I'll leave off for now. Thanks Keliy. John |
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