Part 3 of 8 – Consider Each Book Dispensationally

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Distinction Marks Paul's Epistles.

Now also the books of the New Testament, though not assembled in chronological, order are set in cannon ordered perfectly for those to whom they apply – either to the Israel or to the Gentile "Body of Christ." God designed the order of the canon order of the books ion the Bible through men.

We know also from Jesus’ words and "command" to "the twelve" that any books written by any of the twelve Apostles no doubt must be written to and concerning the kingdom on earth that is promised to Israel only.

Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

This means all the epistles and gospels that were written Peter, James, and John had to be unto the "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" ­not to the Gentiles "body of Christ."

Basically, there are three (3) families of books in the New Testament. They concern "time past" of Israel under "the Law," then "but now," under pure grace, and the "ages to come" concerning the day of the Lord, the coming Tribulation of Israel on earth.  

1) First we have the four Gospels and the early Acts period which Paul refers to as in "time past" under "the Law," before the grace dispensation. These concern Israel wherein there exist a notable distinction between Jew and Gentile. The Gospels present the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matt 15:24).

The Book of Acts is the book of transition from Israel’s program under "the Law" to the grace program for the Gentile "The body of Christ" under "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph 3:1-2). That transition begins with the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 and completed in Acts 28:28: "Be it known therefore unto you (Israel), that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it."

2) Then we have Paul’s thirteen epistles in the "but now" of the current Biblical age. They are explicitly written to and for the members of "the body of Christ." Paul is "the Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13). These books are offer salvation without distinction between Jew and Gentile.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for Ye Are All One In Christ Jesus.

3) Then we have the remainder of the Bible applying to Israel looking to the "ages to come." In these we again see the distinction between Jew and Gentile restored. Whenever we note such "distinction" we know Israel’s program and relationship is being spoken of and "the body of Christ" is not involved.

Let’s now begin to look at the individual books of the New Testament to see to whom (Jew or Gentile) each books actually applies, noting the distinctions drawn between Jew and Gentile. The tip-off is this; we know any affirmative statement concerning the commandments, law, prophets and prophecy, conditional salvation stated by the words "if thou," all apply to Israel; NOT to the "body of Christ."

The Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John):

Without question the four Gospels concern the Messiah – Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus’ instruction and message found in the four Gospels is directed to and applies to Israel alone. Jesus said; "But He (Jesus) answered and said, "I was sent ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matt 15:24)

Paul refers to this period still as "time past" because there still existed such a distinction between Israel and the Gentiles. The distinction in the Gospels is further made clear by Jesus’ instruction to "the twelve."

Matthew 10:5-These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.

An example and most commonly misunderstood item found in the Gospels is the so called Lord’s Prayer. It actually is a prayer Jesus gave Israel for the coming "day of Judgment" upon the earth and the coming "kingdom" to earth in the Millennium. It does not concern "the body of Christ."

Matthew 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

What do we have here in this prayer to contrast with Paul’s grace gospel?

  1. We have proclamation of the Messianic kingdom to come TO EARTH. No place in the Bible is Israel promised heaven. Only "the body of Christ" is promised "heaven." Paul writes "For OUR CITIZENSHIP (HOMELAND) IS IN HEAVEN, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20 (NASB)
  2. It is a prayer for deliverance in the time of the Judgments of the period of the Tribulation – a prayer for daily bread in the time of famine to come by the 4th (pale) horse of Revelation (Rev 6:8). It is also a prayer for deliverance from "the evil one," the Anti-Christ.
  3. A "CONDITIONAL" prayer for forgiveness of indebtedness and for forgiveness of sins. These terms of forgiveness were to be based upon FIRST FORGIVING OTHERS, in order TO BE FORGIVEN. This is the combination of law and works – James wrote to "Israel," faith without works is dead," that is for Israel only. This is in stark contrast to forgiveness under grace dispensation for "the body of Christ" whereby we today are totally forgiven freely (Rom 3:24) FIRST and we THEN forgive others. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32).

These are only some of the many items to be noted that make the Gospels Jewish book of your Bible. It is interesting to note that Paul never notes a single miracle Jesus of Nazareth did in the time of His earthly ministry to Israel (Rom 15:10) and Paul never quotes any of the words of Jesus of Nazareth.

Yet, Paul is the one who gives us thorough understanding of the Christian’s freedoms that we see in his epistle to the Romans and it is entirely based upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth who rose as both Lord and Christ (Act 2:36).