RIGHT or WRONG Divisions?

RIGHTLY or WRONGLY Dividing the Word of Truth

    One of the most important rules for profitable Bible study is the Bible must be rightly divided. As is is written in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of truth.”  It must be “divided” according to dispensations, covenants, and ethnic groups (1 Cor. 10:31). We must make a distinction where God makes a difference (Ex. 8:23; Mt. 25:32).  Things that are different cannot be made the same.

    A failure to “rightly divide” the Scripture leads to heresies, supposed contradictions, and confusion (1 Cor 14:33). Some Bible teachers divide the Bible too closely (hyper-dispensationalist), while others fail to divide it at all. 

    So, how can a person tell if the Bible is being WRONGLY divided?  Here are three simple ways to tell if the Bible is being misinterpreted or wrongly divided. 

The Bible is WRONGLY divided when…

1. It creates a sect or cult that denies the fundamental doctrines of “the faith” [e.g. deity of Christ; deity of Holy Ghost; the Trinity; no literal hell; etc.]. Mormons and Jehovah Witness are cults. 
2. It fails to make a spiritual application to a present Christian (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:1-11). The Bible is not be written doctrinally TO us, but ALL the Bible may be applied to us spiritually (2 Tim. 3:16). 
3. It removes the practice of water baptism of a New Testament believer, OR makes water baptism a requirement for salvation. 

Make sure you are RIGHTLY DIVIDING the Word of truth as you study it.