Grace Ambassadors

The Lost Sheep of Israel

Editor — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:01:25 +0000

Ever since God led his chosen nation out of Egypt Israel was named the special flock of God.

“ But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.” – Psalm 78:52

“For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” – Psalm 95:7

The flock of God and the sheep of the Lord were the men of Israel as the chosen people separate from the Gentiles.

“ Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD. “ – Ezekiel 34:30-31

While Moses and Aaron were used by God as shepherds to lead them out of Egypt ultimately God was the Shepherd of Israel.

“Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. “ – Psalm 77:20

”O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; …” – Psalm 80:1

Like any good shepherd, God led them through the wilderness providing for their needs and protecting them from danger.

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:2-3

The green pasture was the land and dominion God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

“And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.” – Ezekiel 34:13-14

While God led his flock to green pastures once out of Egypt, God entrusted his sheep to the priests and rulers of Israel to shepherd his flock. These shepherds failed and the sheep went astray.

“My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them…For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
“ – Ezekiel 34:6-11

It is no surprise that in accordance with these prophecies that God manifested himself in the flesh and declared himself to be the good Shepherd:

“ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11

Israel has always been the sheep of God, and their gathering into the pasture a promise of the kingdom of God to the Fathers. We can now understand what is meant when it is written that Jesus came to these lost sheep of Israel to confirm the promises made to the Fathers.

“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” – Mat 15:24

“ Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:” – Romans 15:8

The Failure of Concordances

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:51:52 +0000

The earliest English concordances were published in the 16th century. Since then they have become an invaluable tool in Bible study. Computers’ searching capabilities have made long hours of collecting words from the Bible a task that takes only a few seconds.

Yet, concordances and word search software fails at the point of context. It is not enough to find every instance of a word in the Bible. Every word must be rightly divided; it must be put in its proper dispensational context.

Context and Definition

The context can greatly affect definition. It is proper to say, “my salary went down”; which means that the amount of money decreased. It is also possible to say, “I went down to Mexico”; which means I traveled south.

It is the same with important words in your Bible such as faith, belief, salvation, grace, and gospel. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen 6:8). Yet, this must be different than the grace which is pictured by the cross work of Christ (Eph 2:5).

Abraham’s belief in the Lord was counted righteousness in Genesis 15:6. Yet Abraham did not know the gospel of salvation through the blood of Christ in Eph 1:13 that we are called to believe upon today.

In the same monologue Zacharias uses salvation to describe both salvation from political enemies and salvation from sins (Luke 1:69 and 77).

Romans 1:17 quotes Hab 2:4 when it states the truth that “the just shall live by faith”. However, faith in the Messiah was not possible until he arrived centuries after the law was given. Faith in Jesus’ work on the cross was not revealed until Paul was given apostleship.

Faith must be identified dispensationally to understand the subject of faith. A concordance fails to provide the dispensational context.

The Need for Right Division

Ignoring the rightly divided context has introduced serious errors into the church’s presentation of the gospel.

The gospel taught of the disciples and Jesus in Luke 9:6 is not the same gospel that Paul taught since that gospel did not include the meaning of the cross (Luke 18:32-34).

While it is necessary and useful to compile a list of every word instance in the Bible the work is not yet done. To be the workman that will not be ashamed we must rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).

The Agape Myth

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:00:09 +0000

It is not uncommon for an explanation of John 21:15-17 to include secret underlying meanings in the Greek for our English word “love”. It is said that the Greek has many words for ‘love’ which supposedly give more clarity to the passage than the English translation.

The word ‘agapao’ is used in John 21:15 and 16 and the word ‘phileo’ is used by Jesus in John 21:17. It is explained that ‘agapao’ is an unconditional wholehearted love, while ‘phileo’ is merely a brotherly sort of love. What is not explained is that they can also have the same meaning.

The idea that our English translation is somehow lacking in substance is false and is a great disservice to the church. Not only is there nothing missing from the English translation of John 21, but the critics are wrong. Here’s why.

The Internal Evidence

John 21:17 is the “third time” Jesus asked Peter “lovest thou me?” This is confirmed in Greek and English. Yet it was the first time he used the word ‘phileo’. If Jesus was asking a different question in John 21:17 then it would not be the third time to ask it.

Peter was grieved by the Lord’s repetitious inquiry to which he gave the same response three times. Recalling Peter’s denial of Christ three times we can see a possible purpose in Jesus’ triple questioning. This connection is lost if the meanings for love are different.

Furthermore there is no coherent explanation for why Jesus would use the word for unconditional love two times and then revert to brotherly love the third time. This internal evidence is strong that the passage requires the same English word “love” all three times.

Interchangeable ‘Love’

Multiple times John uses the words ‘agapao’ and ‘phileo’ interchangeably.

John 3:35 says that the Father ‘agapao’ loves the Son, while John 5:20 says that the Father ‘phileo’ loves the Son. The English translation is correct.

John 20:2 describes the disciple whom Jesus ‘phileo’ loved. Yet, John 21:20 describes the disciple whom Jesus ‘agapao’ loved. Once again, the English translation is correct and consistent.

Ephesians 5:28 describes the unconditional love a husband has for a wife as ‘agapao’. However, perhaps wives should only love their husbands with brotherly love since a word related to ‘phileo’ is used in Titus 2:4. Nonsense!

God’s Words Preserved in English

The truth is both ‘agapao’ and ‘phileo’ in John 21 are correctly translated ‘love’. The two Greek words can be used interchangeably. Some words in English have the same capability such as ‘unlearned’ and ‘ignorant’.

There is nothing lost in the translation to English. Correctors who present the English translation as mistaken or incomplete only inject confusion, error, and doubt into the church which should stand as a pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:15).

Students of scripture would be better off if they stopped looking for secret meanings in other languages and started learning the doctrinal truth from God’s words rightly divided in their own preserved translation.

The church needs to move past the 400 year old issue of translating into English and into studying a trustworthy Bible rightly divided. You can trust God’s perfectly preserved words in the Authorized Version.

The Tithing Curse

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:40:55 +0000

Under the covenant obligation with Israel, God blessed those who were obedient to the commandments and cursed those were disobedient.

This is why Paul declares that being under the law was a curse to sinful humanity since even one transgression was a breach of the covenant.

“ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” – Gal 3:10

James described the same strict requirements of the law:

“ For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” – James 2:10

During his ministry to the circumcision Jesus did not abrogate the law. Instead he further explained the ability of the law to condemn.

“ Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:” – Mat 5:19

The Tithing Curse

That the law of God required tithes and offerings is clear (Deut 14:22). Most popular among preachers of the tithe is God’s rebuke of Israel for their lack of tithing and offerings.

“ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” – Mal 3:8

Naturally Israel was placed under a curse for breaking the covenant agreement.

“ Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” – Mal 3:9

Paul’s statement about being under a curse rings true when we read about this sentence to Israel.

Not Under a Curse

Historically, Christians have failed in meeting the tithe requirements of the law giving far less than what the law of God required of Israel (a careful reading will reveal that even 10% is not enough).

Although lack of generosity may be a problem in the church a far worse problem is created every year by the priesthood of modern churches that place their congregation under the tithing curse. There can hardly be anything more damningly clear that this annual practice is wrong.

We learn from Paul that we are no longer “under the law” and that we are free from its bondage (Gal 4:9). Even more, Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law:

“ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us:” – Gal 4:13

Placing someone under a required system of tithing and offering is tantamount to ignoring the redemption of Christ and placing the church back under a curse of the law.

Those living under liberty and grace cannot be placed under a curse (Gal 5:1). Mandatory tithing is not a practice for the church, the Body of Christ. Those who teach tithing are either ignorant of Paul’s instructions or are mishandling the word of truth (Titus 1:11).

Our generosity is an outgrowth of our thankfulness to God for what he has done on the cross. When pastors use the law to motivate giving they are denying the all sufficient power of God’s grace (2 Cor 5:14-15, 9:8).

Jesus Sent Paul

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:56:11 +0000

In the opening verse of all of Paul’s epistles, except the Thessalonians, it is clear that Paul was an apostle or servant of Jesus Christ. Even in Thessalonians you find verses such as 1 Thess 2:4 and 13 that declare his granted position from the Lord.

Inevitably, despite this servant relationship to Jesus, when I compare the messages of Paul or Peter (Gal 2:8-9), consider what the apostle of Jesus Christ says (2 Tim 2:7), or magnify his office as an apostle of Jesus Christ (Rom 11:13), the retort is always that I make too much of Paul.

They say, “We should glorify Jesus not Paul.”

Paul Glories in the Lord Jesus

Don’t they know that out of all the writers of scripture, Paul glories more in Jesus Christ than them all (Gal 6:14)? This is because he knew more about Jesus Christ than them all! He knew more not because of his intellectual brilliance but because of the mystery information revealed to him by the Lord (Gal 1:11-12, Rom 16:25).

It was his privilege to “fulfill the word of God” with a message that no one before him knew (Col 1:25-26).

Jesus made Paul the apostle and the pattern of salvation to us that “hereafter believe” (1 Tim 1:16).

Paul does not elevate himself above Jesus Christ when he bows to him and calls him preeminent (Eph 3:14, Col 1:18).

Following Paul’s pattern and instructions requires glorifying God by Jesus Christ (Rom 16:27, Phil 2:11).

A Gentle Three Words

“Making too much of Paul” is a common response that should be expected. It will be used at the point in the conversation when the other person does not know how to respond to the doctrine. They feel threatened and take solace in Jesus’ words in the red letters.

What they don’t understand is Jesus did not pen those red letters. God inspired those words in the same sense that he authored Moses or Paul. What they want to say is “I follow Jesus [in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John] and not Paul”.

They are at their wits end and are getting frustrated. This is when they expect you to apologize for not following Jesus. Do not back down; do not argue. Instead, with an aptitude to teach say only three more words. Do not press the conversation after this. Let them think about these words.

When they say, “I follow Jesus” calmly respond, “Jesus sent Paul.”

What the Lord Requires

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:23:48 +0000

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? – Micah 6:2

The law was given to teach what the Lord requires. Meditation on the law taught judgment, the severe punishments of the law demanded mercy, and through the sacrifices and prayers humility was openly displayed as thousands of animals bled for sins.

Judgment, mercy, and humility were divinely revealed to humanity so that even today the world’s religions hold them up as the most noble religious pursuits. Of course, the entirety of the law is contained in two maxims that Jesus identified: love thy God, and love your neighbour as yourself.

“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ” – Matt 22:40

Yet, after thousands of years of living under the law one thing was evident: no one is righteous (Romans 3:10). No man can give God what he required.

“…there is none that doeth good, no not one” – Rom 3:12

It is impossible to do all that God requires. The purest requirements of judgment, mercy, love, and humility remain only dreams to a cursed world.

Our apostle Paul after receiving the mystery revelation of Jesus Christ wrote, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal 3:24).

Christ accomplished all that God required.

He fulfilled the righteous judgment of God against sin through his death on the cross (Rom 3:25). The richness of his mercy through Jesus provided life to sinners (Eph 2:4, Rom 5:8). Lastly, it was Christ who humbled himself being made in the likeness of men so that he could do what no one else could:

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Phil 2:8

Today, it is to God’s praise that he does not require anything from us as Christ has done it all to provide free justification to all who believe.

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Are you struggling to meet God’s perfect requirements? Put your faith in Christ’s fulfillment of God’s requirements and receive the spiritual benefits of God’s righteousness freely (Rom 3:24)!

The Main Point of Mid Acts Doctrine

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 09:00:52 +0000

It is not unusual to receive messages from site visitors who would like to oppose Mid Acts doctrine since evidently it sounds very different. It is a pleasure to receive one of these messages since I am able to learn what is being communicated by what is published.

After reading many of these emails, it is amazing how often people miss the main point of the Mid Acts perspective. By not correctly identifying what it is they are attacking their volleys fail to hit the mark.

This short post is intended to help direct those who are looking for the heart of Mid Acts so that you can aim your attacks (or your sincere consideration) more accurately.

It’s Not about Baptism

It seems some doctrines attract a larger crowd than others. Baptism is one of those doctrines that will always be surrounded in controversy.

While it is clearly understood through a Mid Acts perspective that water baptism has no import in this dispensation it is not the primary point of Mid Acts dispensational right division.

You Can’t Find It in Acts

The book of Acts does not clearly identify what is taught as Mid Acts doctrine. The nomenclature “Mid Acts” refers to at what time Paul was saved.

The book of Acts is about Israel’s rejection of the Apostles: all of them. First they rejected Christ, the Apostle (Heb 3:1), then the twelve apostles, then Paul the apostle of the Gentiles.

Christ was rejected in Jerusalem, his disciples all throughout Israel, and Paul was stoned in Gentile countries. It is a description of old things (Israel’s position) passing away but only a vague description of the new things (Gentile salvation).

The Main Point

Here it is: the main point. Mid Acts doctrine does not rest on baptism, the book of Acts, or 2 Timothy 2:15.

Our Apostle Paul was uniquely given mercy by God while he was killing the faithful in Christ. Jesus commissioned him with a unique ministry. Paul taught a message of the Lord Jesus that no one hitherto had known.

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” – 1 Tim 1:16

Jesus gave to Paul a new ministry to be the pattern to everyone after him. God’s nature has not changed, but his ministry to man has changed. God’s present ministry to man through Christ was first revealed in its fullness to our Apostle Paul.

The Painted Target

If Paul did not teach anything significantly different than Peter, John the Baptist, or the prophets then Mid Acts doctrine falls apart.

However, if you can see that there is new doctrine about Jesus revealed first to Paul that is of primary significance to the members of the body of Christ today then you are closer to identifying the main point of Mid Acts doctrine.

Pray Without Ceasing

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:07:52 +0000

“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thess 5:17

Too often it seems that some pastors are the only ones applying this verse and always right when the roast is burning.

Oh, it makes a wonderful slogan. Print it on wrist bands and it will sell for sure. But, have you ever thought about it? What does it mean to pray without ceasing?

Prayer has become a waste of time for those who do not see its true function. To them unceasing prayer is simply a pious platitude without merit for practical living. Yet if we are to glean useful doctrine to furnish us unto perfection we need to carefully study its meaning.

Surely it does not advocate prayer without stopping. Prayer at the exclusion of eating, sleeping, and work is impractical. Paul himself says he does not ‘cease to pray’ for the Colossians (1:9), yet takes time out to work day and night in 2 Thess 3:8.

However, we should also not spiritualize the verse, as some who lack understanding do, by saying that our whole life is a perpetual prayer to God. We ought to walk in continuous attitudes of prayer. This claptrap leaves the verse destitute of doctrinal application and is little help.

The passage refers to regular prayer communication with God faithfully and without fail. In this tone, Paul told the Colossians to continue in prayer. Never fail but watch.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” – Col 4:2

Prayer has a function of helping us take spiritual inventory. We pray the doctrine that we know; we pray the things we desire; we pray what is in our thoughts; and we pray in thanksgiving for what God has done for us.

Prayer will tell us whether we are in Gods word receiving doctrine, whether our heart is right, our minds sound, and our attitude grateful.

Without continual prayer many believers fall back into the ways of the world lacking spiritual evaluation. It is for this edifying purpose that we are told to pray faithfully and without fail: to pray without ceasing.

The Kingdom of Priests

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:30:31 +0000

God promised Abraham that he would make a great nation through him (Gen 12:2). Moses would later deliver that nation of Israel from the bondage of the Egyptians. Israel was promised to be a blessing to the world as the stewards of God’s oracles (Gen 12:3, Rom 3:1-2).

The entire nation was prophesied to one day be the Priests of the Lord to the Gentiles:

“But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” – Isa 61:6

God ordained Israel to be a kingdom of priests and an holy nation:

“ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” – Exodus 19:6

To consecrate a priest under the old covenant required a cleansing and anointing ceremony. The ceremony included a water washing, oil anointing, and the sprinkling of sacrificial blood (Exo 29:1,4,7,20).

The Kingdom at Hand

When the time was fulfilled for the kingdom to come the nation had to be consecrated as priests. They were going to be washed, anointed, and sprinkled with the blood of a sacrifice.

John came baptizing the nation in water preaching “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4). He told of another baptism with the Holy Ghost to come shortly after.

“I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” – Mark 1:8

This anointing with the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the believers at Pentecost as the oil anointing was poured out in the Aaronic priesthood.

Lastly, the blood of the sacrificial Lamb of God was shed to purchase the new and better covenant for the nation of priests (Heb 9:13-15).

The result is that a holy nation would enter the kingdom as priests of the Lord to minister to the Gentile nations.

Rites Not Right

Water baptism was a required rite of passage into the kingdom priesthood for Israel, as well as the Holy Ghost anointing.

Today, there is no one holy nation as there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. Gentiles are never included as priests in his kingdom. Also, Paul teaches us that we are “not under the law” and “strangers of the covenants of promise” (Rom 6:14, Eph 2:12).

Therefore, water rites, special anointings, or sacrificial sprinklings, which are a part of the law and the covenants, are unnecessary for us today when we learn that they were given for a special kingdom of priests.

The Most Common Response to Grace

Justin Curtis Johnson — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:18:32 +0000

Licenses give permission to do something that would otherwise be forbidden. The most common response to the grace of God from religious folk is that it gives a ‘license to sin’.

This reaction is predictable since grace sets you free from the condemnation of the law. Grace teaches the glorious news that Christ has accomplished what we failed to obtain: righteousness.

It is not our works by which we are justified but Christ’s work. Someone who does not work righteousness can have faith unto righteousness according to Romans 4:5:

“…to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Romans 4:5

The law condemns all under its power and cannot bring justification to those who seek to keep it (Rom 3:20). Justification must come by faith without the deeds of the law (Rom 3:28).

It is quickly realized that if the deeds of the law are not needed then we are free from its condemnation!

The Most Common Response to Grace

What always follows this realization is the most common response to grace, “Is grace a license to sin?” Paul responds to this question in Romans chapter six:

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” – Romans 6:15

Paul explains that just because the we are not under the law does not mean that it is permissible to sin (Rom 6:7). Grace is not a license to sin.

Grace brings a change in identity and a change in service. Grace does not mean God ignores sin, it means he paid for it on our behalf. Neither does grace mean we continue in sin, but rather we should stop serving it (Rom 6:16).

Instead we serve God as the one who has purchased us with his blood (1 Cor 6:20).

Grace Teaches Us to Live Godly

Grace teaches us to live godly. Not by a list of works that we could never keep, but by repudiating sin altogether, eliminating its stronghold, and crucifying our flesh.

Instead of a rule of law we have the action of love. Against such there is no law. Love is a greater motivator than guilt. Grace reveals the love of God toward us:

“God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.“ – Romans 5:8

This love constrains us to live for the one who died for us:

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. “ – 2 Cor 5:14-15

We see then how grace teaches us to live godly, soberly, and righteously in Christ (Titus 2:12).

Grace never gives permission (license) to sin. Instead it is the ability to live holy lives in Christ without the condemnation of the law. This is great news!

“ For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” – 1 Thess 4:7