Just this past Sunday, a ‘mid-Acts-hyper-dispensationalist’ preacher defended his chart.
He said, "A chart is a map. You better get a chart." Well, I used that chart for years, and I found out it was wrong, so I threw it away.
The authority is in GOD’s word. The scripture alone has perfect validity.
There is where I place my firm support .... not in a man, not in a school, not in a chart:
Phil 1:3-7 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (1 Cor 1:8, 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:10, 2:16; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Thess 2:2; 2 Pet 3:10,12)
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence [apologia] and confirmation of the gospel,
ye all are partakers of my grace.
I’m not in chains like Paul .... but I hope others will be encouraged, exhorted, and convinced (Titus 1:9) from my studies of sound doctrine in the power of the verses:
Phil 1:12-18 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife;
and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that
I am set for the defence [apologia] of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
A proper defense is a reasoned statement or argument.
It is a good answer made with a humble, clear head, like Peter said:
1 Peter 3:15-16 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer [apologia] to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
I’m willing and prepared to talk about what I now believe. Those who think I’m doing evil should be embarrassed .... for insulting the scriptures .... that I am pointing out .... that they have avoided or divided away.
Defend the chart? Not me! Not anymore!
With Paul and Peter, I am set for the defense of the gospel and the hope that is in me!
This is David Dowell, saying, "Think about it!"
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