Mid -Acts Dispensational Doctrine

[patrick jane]

How Do I Know I Am Saved?


How Do I Know I Am Saved?


By Justin Johnson



Let’s be honest. If you do not know that you are saved it is because you are not.


I am not trying to be cruel or mean, but simply honest. It would be the worst kind of negligence if I encouraged you to believe you were saved if actually you were not.


Unsaved people roam the earth thinking they are right with God, but are not. This reality may be driving your honest question about how to know if you are saved. This question is the greatest question one could ask, because the answer is understanding the gospel that saves.


Many people remain unconvinced about their own salvation because of a fear they have left something undone, did not say something right, are not worthy enough, or have not done the right thing to be accepted by God.


Perhaps this is you! You want to do right, and want to be saved, but do not know for certain how to know. What you need to know is the gospel of Christ.


Do You Know the Gospel?


At this point you may object because you claim to already know the gospel. But your question betrays you. The gospel that saves provides the knowledge of salvation. If you do not know you are saved, then you do not know the gospel that saves.


If you claim to know the gospel and still do not know if you are saved you have been told the wrong gospel. Perhaps you have been told salvation comes by…



– Believing Jesus is the Son of God.

– Loving the Lord.

– Following Jesus.

– Accepting Jesus.

– Being born again.

– Keeping the commandments.

– Loving your neighbor.

– Praying the sinner’s prayer.

– Repentance and confessing your sins.

– Confessing the Lord with your mouth.

– Asking Jesus to come into your heart.

– Making him Lord of your life.

– Maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus.

– Naming the name of Christ.

– Being filled with the Holy Spirit; or feeling his presence?



If so, you were told wrong. Your doubts testify to the inadequacy of any of these “gospels” to bring the knowledge of salvation. Have you loved the Lord enough? Don’t the devils also believe Jesus is the Son of God (Jam 2:19)? How do you know Jesus accepted your invitation into your heart? Is salvation really by uttering a name?


Though what you heard may have had an element of Biblical truth in it, you are still left wondering how you know you are saved even after knowing or believing these “gospels”. This is because they do not describe the gospel that saves.



Proof of Salvation

The Bible gives proof to every saved person to know they are saved: the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16).



If we test your proof of salvation against the gospel of Christ, we can know if you are saved or not. (I do not pretend to be the judge of your soul, but using God’s word to evaluate your salvation is prudent.)


So, what is the proof of your salvation?


If you say you have none, or that no one can know for certain, then you do not have salvation.

If you say proof is in the good way you live your life, then you have not heard the truth.


If you say proof is found in the promises of God to Israel, then you are taking what is not yours. God made promises to the nation of Israel, but there were many people in Israel who died in their sins at


God’s hand of judgment and not salvation. How do you know you are part of the promises?

If you say proof is in what you have done or not done, said or not said, then you are not saved.


Without proof on what basis can you know that you are saved? There is none! Do you see now that you are not saved at all, and rather than needing to be convinced by Scripture that you are, you need to have the power of God unto salvation open your eyes to the truth of the gospel?



What is the Gospel that Saves

Now the question is seen in a new light. It is no longer the question of a saved person lacking confidence. It is the cry of an unsaved person lacking proof of salvation.


Sinners cannot save themselves or make themselves worthy enough for God to save them. Salvation is not for the righteous or the good, but for the unrighteous and the ungodly. The truth is that there is none righteous, and all have fallen short of God’s glorious standard.


Salvation of sinners is accomplished through the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. God manifest in the flesh died innocently in the place of sinners shedding his blood as a sacrifice for sins. He rose from the dead three days later defeating the power of death and offering his finished work as the means of salvation to all men.


Salvation is not proven by our own efforts, but in the righteousness of God in Christ when he died for our sins, rose from the dead, and offers salvation freely to sinners who need it. Proof of salvation is found in the gospel of Christ. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself by the cross.

“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” – Romans 3:25

We will be saved “if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” – Romans 4:24-25

This is the gospel of Christ; it is the preaching of the cross. Christ is God, and he did everything necessary to save men through his death and resurrection. His work is the proof of salvation.


If his work is the proof of your salvation, then you have peace with God and eternal life. You are no longer trying to provide proof. God has provided it by his grace in Christ.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” – Romans 5:1

“…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

How Do I Know?

I know that I am saved because Christ died for my sins, rose from the dead, and offers salvation freely to all who believe in him. I’ve seen him save other people who believe the gospel of Christ. He will save you, when you believe it (Eph 1:13; Rom 3:22).

Stop trusting your life, your prayers, your works, your good deeds, your feelings, trust the finished work of Christ and know that you are saved.

 

[patrick jane]

The Gospel According to Paul

The Gospel According to Paul


By Justin Johnson


The Old Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are commonly referred to as the Four Gospels. Many Bibles even have in the titles of these books “The Gospel According to…” Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.



All four of them contain the same gospel: the gospel of the kingdom. The gospel of the kingdom declared the fulfillment of the prophetic kingdom to the nation Israel.



What they do not contain is the gospel of the cross for salvation. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection do not even occur until the final chapters of the books.

Jesus in his earthly ministry confirmed the kingdom promises to the circumcision (Israel):

“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



Each of the four books start with the earthly ministry of Jesus to the circumcision and ends with his death and resurrection. This outlines the ministry and message of Peter, John, and the Twelve according to prophecies of Christ.

Their ministries begin with the prophecies and end with their fulfillment in Christ.



However, there is a fifth gospel. Paul’s gospel was not copied from Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. It was personally revealed by the Lord (Gal 1:11-12).

As such, Paul’s gospel as told in 1 Corinthians 15 is different than the four traditional Gospels. It includes the revelation of the mystery of Christ.



A New Beginning

Paul does not begin with Jesus’ ministry to the circumcision as do Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He says elsewhere that he does not know Christ after the flesh:

“…though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” – 2 Corinthians 5:16



Instead, the first thing in Paul’s gospel is the last thing in the four gospels: the death and resurrection of Christ.



“…I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures;” – 1 Corinthians 15:3



This seems right as the foundation of Paul’s gospel of the grace of God was not the kingdom promises to a circumcised people, but the cross itself (1 Cor 1:18, 2:2, 3:10). The very first point of Paul’s gospel is neither the genealogy of Jesus nor Jesus’ relationship to prophecy, but his death for our sins.



A New Ending

Also different is how Paul’s gospel ends in 1 Corinthians 15:1-10.



The four so-called Gospels do not progress beyond the appearance of the resurrection Jesus to the Twelve apostles. However, Paul is nowhere to be found in the four Gospels. He is not only absent but an unbeliever and an enemy of the gospel of the kingdom:



“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;…” – Acts 8:1



Paul’s gospel goes beyond the resurrection of Christ to his kingdom remnant. Paul explains the revelation of the mystery of Christ to himself “last of all”.



“And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” – 1 Corinthians 15:8



Born out of the due time of prophecy, Paul was given salvation by the Lord himself and was chosen as the dispenser of the gospel of the grace of God:



“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:” – Eph 3:2

“… a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” – 1 Corinthians 9:17



The Mystery Gospel

It is popular to pursue the gospel narratives found in Matthew-John as the key to understanding the Bible.





While there are doctrinal gems and spiritual truths in these books, we must remember Paul’s gospel in order to understand all things (even those things beyond the resurrection of Jesus).



“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. “ – 2 Tim 2:7



The gospel Christ gave to Paul is missing from Matthew-John, and so is called a mystery gospel (Rom 16:25, Eph 6:19).





Instead of trying to pattern ourselves after the Lord’s earthly ministry passed on to his twelve apostles to Israel, we should start with Christ crucified and pattern our ministry after the heavenly message of the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom 11:13).





When our focus is on the gospel God gave to Paul then we will be in position to grow in the grace of God as did Paul, according to his gospel:

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:10



Related posts:

1. -Handling Gospel Transition
   -The Gospel Missing in John
   -Did Paul Preach A Different Gospel?
   -The First to Preach the Gospel
   -Prophecy Unfulfilled
   -Paul’s “My Gospel”
   -Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Gospel of the Grace of God

 

[patrick jane]

Pursuing Marriage in Christ

http://graceambassadors.com/life/marriage/pursuing-marriage-in-christ

By Justin Johnson

God intended marriage to be good. Too many marriages end up in tragedy.

When seeking marriage, how do you make sure your relationship starts on the right foot?

When trying to win someone’s heart, it is natural to exert maximum effort to put your best foot forward. This ends up being the wrong foot.

To become the object of another’s affections, you conform to what they desire, which may be different than what you truly are.

If they saw how you really were, you fear, they might become disinterested and the hope of love destroyed.

This is why one of the most common problems in marriage relationships is expecting your spouse to be something they are not.

When hearts have been won and marriage occurs, both put less effort on their best foot and the other shoe drops. To keep the shoe from dropping some marriages trudge along attempting to maintain maximum effort to be someone they are not.

This rarely ends well.

Therefore, the usual marriage advice is to find someone who loves you for who you really are. This way there are no false expectations and less effort is required. This can be called putting your worst foot forward.

Leading with your worst foot is not good either.

The problem with this advice is that the Bible tells us that we are all sinners, and no one wants a sinner for a spouse. This is true no matter how much they claim to love you just as you are.

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

God already knows the worst about us. God has already commended his love toward us. God loves his Son, and wants us to be conformed to His image. Moreover, God provides the grace and power for this to occur through faith.

Sinners can become saints in Christ by grace through faith.

The good news for marriage is that it was never intended to be only for perfect people (or perfect matches). There is no such thing. Neither is it merely where two sinners maintain close proximity without harming each other.

Marriage is for two people to learn to love how God loves. Loving first, sacrificially, completely, by grace, in Christ, and in the face of a sinner.

You don’t have to be someone you are not for marriage to work. Nor are you resigned to be the sinner that you were. You must only be who you are in Christ.

This is why the only condition given to Christians on whom they marry is “in the Lord” (1 Cor 7:39). This way there are no false expectations: sin will be present; but there is also hope: you know the love of Christ.

You are the hands and feet of Christ. Put that foot forward, and marriage success will be only as distant as you in Christ.

1. 
   -Grace and Marriage
   -Loving God to Death
   -How to Preach the Love of God in Christ
   -Showing Grace Toward Others
   -Give More Than Love
   -Jesus Loves Me
   -The Grace Reason to Do Good

 

[patrick jane]

How to Preach the Love of God in Christ

By Justin Johnson


Jesus described the greatest love a man could have.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

A life is the last thing a man can give. If he gives his life, there is nothing more he can give.

This kind of love is scarce (Rom 5:7), but when it happens it is recognized by all as the greatest love man can give.

Jesus was no ordinary man. He was God manifest in the flesh, the Messiah, the Son of God. In his ministry to Israel he taught the love taught under the law.

“ Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” – John 15:14

Jesus considered the disciples his friends since they believed and obeyed him. Those who did not follow, obey, or do what Jesus said were not his friends (Matt 10:32-33; Matt 19:22-23).

Jesus had spent the past few years of his life doing good, performing miracles, and teaching to love God and neighbor, but his act of greatest love as a man was yet to come.

Jesus would die for his friends. His body would be broken for those he considered friends. He would deliver them from their enemies (Luke 1:71).

There is nothing greater he could give as a man living perfectly under the law.

God’s Greater Love

While greater love hath no man than to die for his friends, God’s love is greater.

Christ died and rose from the dead. He had displayed the greatest love man could give to his friends, but he had not yet revealed the greatest love of God.

It was not until Christ revealed the mystery of his death and resurrection to Paul that God’s love would be so greatly commended to all (Titus 3:4-6).

Christ’s death was not only the greatest love that a man could have, but now is preached as commending the love of God.

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

Man’s greatest love is to die for his friends. God’s love is commended by dying for his enemies. This is called grace.

Friends merit love, and dying for them is seen as the greatest display of that love between men.

Enemies do not merit love, and dying for them is seen as not only love but grace. The only one who could give this sort of love and grace and maintain his righteousness is God through Christ.

The Love of God

Preaching the death of Christ for those that love him is preaching the greatest love man could have, but it is not preaching the greater love of God today.

Man’s love is commended by dying for family, friends, and country.

The love of God in Christ’s death surpasses human capability.
The love of God in Christ’s death surpasses human relationship.
The love of God in Christ’s death surpasses human merit.
The love of God in Christ’s death surpasses human sin.
The love of God in Christ’s death surpasses his wrath.

It is not said that the love of God is commended in the birth of Jesus, or the life of Jesus, or even the death of Jesus as a man for his friends, which all happened under the law to his family, friends, and country.

The love of God is commended in the death of Christ for us who are not.

The love of God is commended in the death of Christ for sinners and enemies.

Preaching the love of God in Christ requires preaching the death of Christ according to the dispensation of the grace of God.

1. 
   -Give More Than Love
   -Loving God to Death
   -The Churches of Family and Friends
   -I Conquer All (Through Christ)
   -Charity vs. Love
   -11 Reasons You Need Jesus Christ
   -The Embarrassment of Inspiration

 

[patrick jane]

By Faith and Through Faith


By Justin Johnson

“Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” – Romans 3:30

Inevitably, discussing this verse involves a gauntlet of word games and definitions. Why is it by for the circumcision and through for the uncircumcision? Everyone knows there is a difference, but what exactly is it? Let’s give it a go.

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law…” – Gal 3:23

Under the law dispensation, righteousness came through obedience to Israel’s covenants.

“For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” – Romans 10:5

Yet, even Israel, who was instructed by God from the law, could not keep the law. Both Jew and Gentile were under sin.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…” – Romans 3:10

The law could not justify:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:…” – Romans 3:20

Not even Israel could be justified by the law. It was through the requirements of the covenant that Jesus died as a propitiation for the “remission of sins that are past”, those sins committed under the law dispensation (Rom 3:25).

All Men Justified By Faith

Justification always requires faith. For the circumcision, justification was by faith. The covenant promised kingdoms and required works. Faith would obey God. Through obedience to the covenants Israel’s faith was made perfect.

“Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” – James 2:22

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” – James 2:24

They were justified by faith and works through their covenants with God.

Through Faith

The law was an integral part of God’s prophetic purpose with Israel (Rom 3:1-2). The law required obedience. However, the circumcision was truly justified by faith when they failed to obey. Faith would offer a sacrifice through the covenant.

The uncircumcision had been rejected by God already. They were strangers of the covenants (Eph 2:10). There was no pretense that they would be justified through a covenant. The sinners of the Gentiles could only hope to be justified through faith in the gospel of the grace of God.

The uncircumcision was justified by faith, but being strangers of the covenants it was also through faith in the finished work of Christ (Rom 5:1, Eph 2:8).

“Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” – Romans 3:30

Faith Without the Law

The law, which was the knowledge of sin, taught Israel that they needed faith in God (Rom 3:19-20). It was not until Paul that righteousness without the law was manifested and faith stood alone for justification.

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” – Romans 3:21

Today, it has been revealed that all are under sin. Justification comes by faith in God’s instructions, but also through faith alone in Christ’s finished work. No more works are needed, no covenant is needed, justification is offered today by faith and through faith without works.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Israel’s faith did not void the law. Our faith is without the law.

1. 
   -Abraham, Father of Us All
   -Does Romans 2:28-29 Teach A Spiritual Israel?
   -When Can Works Justify
   -Did Paul Preach A Different Gospel?
   -Your Circumcision is Not of the Heart
   -The Most Common Response to Grace
   -Is Faith Without Works Dead?