Readers unfamiliar with dispensational truth might be surprised that there are those within the Christian community who do not simply bundle the Old Testament with Israel and all the New Testament with us believers today. Not all the Bible is about us.
Contrary to tradition, there are many Christians who do not read the records of Acts as the history of the early church, that is as any beginning of our present dispensation and calling. Not all the New Testament is about us either.
There are increasing numbers of Christians who want answers to the apparent contradictions in the New Testament. These dispensational difficulties are created by the widespread failure to distinguish things differing; failing to apply sound hermeneutics when we open and read on from Matt.1:1.
When we fail to observe the dispensation things of Israel, which continue deep into the New Testament records, we confuse ourselves as to the present set of conditions unassociated with that nation. Taking the things of Israel and transferring them to the church which is His Body is called replacement theology. Most Christians today are taught replacement theology despite the fact the words are never used. It is a false given that Christ came to start our church, and that the Acts period is the history of the early church. When Christians are taught mixed dispensational truths it is not surprising that our Christian movement is awash with every confused mix of named assemblies claiming to truly represent God’s will for us today. Replacement theology has poisoned the Christian community for 2 millennia and that which our God wants the saints to know, His wonderful purpose for us today, is obscured from them.
Acts 28 and Mid-Acts dispensationalists believe that Acts covers a period of time when God continued dealing with His people Israel who had not been cast aside at the Cross or Acts 2. Many Mid-Acts believe Israel was put aside at Acts 7 while Acts 28 believes Israel was not put aside until Acts 28.
Acts 28 and Mid-Acts (MA from here on) agree that only Paul received, by direct revelation from the Lord, the present set of conditions, The Mystery of Ephesians and Colossians. The differences are that MAs believes Paul was gradually given the present truth through the Acts period, while Acts 28 teaches that Paul taught none other things than the prophets and Moses did say should come all the way to Acts 28. After Acts 28, not before, the Lord descended and revealed the present dispensation to Paul alone. Mid-Acts, will speak of the Acts as being a transition or a progressive revelation period where Paul was slowly given more present truth (as some say he shed himself from his Jewish heritage). Acts 28 believes this progressive revelation, transition period theory confuses the writings of Paul. Acts 28 believe that Mid-Acts mix the dispensational differences in Paul by dragging the later revelation of The Mystery back into the Acts period and so confuse the beauty they have found.
Acts 28 believes that during Acts Paul was preaching the Old Testament dispensation and the redemptive grace so widely anticipated in it. This included the redemptive work of the Savior on the cross and justification by faith through grace based on it. The Old testament was the basis of the hope Paul held during that time as per Romans 15:4-13. Paul during Acts was proclaiming that Israel remained God’s people and the Gentiles were included under the terms of OT promises and prophesies.
Acts 28 believes that after the setting aside of Israel at the pronouncement of Is.6 in Acts 28:25-28, the Lord descended and revealed to Paul the present set of conditions, the dispensational truth operating today. This present dispensation was previously hid in God, Eph.3, and was indeed hid in God all the way to Acts 28 which included the NT written and written regarding that time period. Thus Paul’s letters fall into two separate and distinct dispensational groups.
These letters are not separated by date assessment but by their dispensational content. Paul’s Acts letters are full of OT dispensational truths, the post Acts letters are full of dispensational things previously unheard of. The Acts period group, Paul’s early letters, are rich in OT quotes, while the post Acts group are basically free of them. His Acts period letters are full of supernatural gifts and the Feasts which is evidence of the earthly program. Both groups will have continuing or redemptive truths but they are most assuredly different in their dispensational truths.
The first group containing dispensational truths written during Acts, the hope of which was postponed at Acts 28, the second containing the hope for today, written after Acts 28. The dispensational truths of these two groups of letters did not co-exist during the Acts period. Mid-Acts claim Paul was proclaiming both sets of truths at the same time during Acts and create more confusion than they try to resolve. Thus many MAs brethren, seeing this confusion, are seeking answers and finding resolution in the Acts 28 position.
Acts 28 does not believe all the letters of Paul are about the church which is His Body and thus MUST be rightly divided. Acts 28 believes the MAs brethren confuse dispensational truths by dragging the later ones back into the Acts period. This is the very basis of the Mid-Acts accusation that Acts 28 believes in two bodies. By wrongly dividing the Word of Truth; dragging later dispensational truth back into the Acts period, MAs has created a set of dispensational conflicts. These they need to explain away and many of their followers are less than convinced by their length explanations and their isolated use of Scripture. Wrath to the uttermost of 1Thess.2:16 is a classic example of Mid-Acts isolated eisogesis. They believe this proves Israel was nationally cast aside early in Acts whereas the context of Thessalonians proves otherwise.
The material on this page was prepared with searching Mid Acts brethren in mind.
We have met many over the years who recognize the short comings of the MA position. Such brethren will be very familiar with the subject headings of the audios below which audios directly expose the arguments the MAs teachers use to explain their mixing of Paul. It is our prayer that those with mid-Acts persuasions are willing to consider the Scriptures presented here showing where such a position fails. The Material on this page will also benefit Christians who see the contradictions in the New Testament the traditional view has created.
These audio lessons given over the internet are of varying listening quality. Some are impromptu with interruptions and comments to folks. The listener is reminded to search and see if these things are so.
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No. | TITLE | SYNOPSIS | TIME* |
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1.
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Paul’s Gospel by revelation in Acts does not include the dispensational truths of Ephesians and Colossians. There’s no proof of any progressive revelation:
Paul’s Gospel in Acts 9 & 13 - Part 1 2
Paul’s Gospel in Galatians by revelation Part.1 2
Justification by Faith through grace (Is. 53:11) is not the beginning of a progressive revelation culminating in the Mystery of Ephesians 3. Acts is not a transition:
Part -1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 |
Paul’s gospel given by revelation in Galatians 1 related to Acts 9 and 13. Paul’s message from Galatians through Romans to Acts 28 is the same, no change, nothing new, all OT testimony.
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50
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2. |
Paul taught Peter grace?
2 Peter 3:16, 17
Part - 1 2
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What were the “some things hard to be understood”, and when were Peter’s epistles written?
| 36 |
2a. |
Acts 28 (March 2011)
Part -1 2 3 4
See Acts 28 Charts and Structures here
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Genesis to Acts 28, redemption by the blood, justification, but the purposes of God are earthly
| 50 |
3. |
Deuteronomy, Acts & Romans
Part 1 2 3 4 5 6
See, the Mystery, the Hidden Wisdom of God.
And these written studies |
Moses and Paul inseparable in the Acts period. Exciting links between two books written late in probationary periods for Israel with Trumpets following. Does wrath to the uttermost on Israel mean Israel was put aside and a new calling
had begun?
| 50-60 |
4.
| Justification (righteousness) by faith, the testimony of Moses and the call of Abraham. Part 7 (of the series above) |
Is justification by faith, the beginning of the revelation of the Mystery of Eph.& Col.? If it is, then we should start “the church” at the call of Abraham.
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60
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5.
| The salvation of the Gentiles
during the Acts period.
The dispensational framework of Acts
Gentile Salvation of Prophecy
The Fullness of the Gentiles A
The Fullness of the Gentiles B |
Does Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles during Acts mean the church which is His Body began? Were the Gentiles saved to lead the Jews into this church?
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45
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6. |
The charge by Mid-Acts that Acts 28 believes in two bodies. The Holy Spirit, His gifts and the Feasts,
earthly program only
1 Cor. 12 and Romans 12; The Body
Series One
Part 1 2 3
Series Two
Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Summary of 1 Cor. 12 (body)
Another Summary?
1Cor.12, Christ the Rock
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Is Paul’s use of the ‘Body’ in Romans and Corinthians the same as in Ephesians and Colossians? | 43 |
7. | Acts 13 – Paul’s Ministry
Miracle & Gospel | An examination of the comparison of the blinding of Bar-Jesus, Rom. 11, and Paul’s Gospel in Acts 13. | 43 |
8. | Did Paul blaspheme the Holy Spirit?
Part a Part b Part c |
Was Paul’s conversion a “kingdom” conversion, or a dispensation of grace conversion?
| 43 |
9. |
When does WE include ME
in the Scriptures, especially in Paul.
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Pronouns must be considered very carefully, they must be rightly divided.
| 43 |
10.
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The Appearing 1 2 3
See this link for written studies.
Chart
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The Second Coming of the Lord and the Appearing – when is the hope of the Church which is His Body realized?
| 54 |
11. |
Acts 2 and 13 comparison
1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6
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The Church Which is His Body was not created in Acts chapters
2 or 13. The hope of Romans and other epistles written during Acts was Israel’s Kingdom on earth.
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45
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12.
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Paul’s Gospel 1, 2
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Did Paul preach only one gospel?
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31
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13.
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1Cor.2:7 a Mystery, the wisdom of God
which was hidden
Part 1 2 3
Written lesson here No.67
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Is the mystery of 1Cor.2:7 the same dispensational mystery of Ephesians 3?
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50
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14.
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1Cor.13:8-13
but when that which is perfect is come
Part a Part b Part c
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What is the context,
the dispensational setting?
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50
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15. |
Judgment on Believers During Acts
Part 1 2
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Explains why believers
during Acts suffered
judgments for their sins and why God does not judge us for our sins today.
| 30 |
16.
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Romans 9-11, Hope of Israel
Part 1 2
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These examine the dispensational setting of these chapters. If the church which is His body is in Romans then it is also in Hosea, Isaiah Deut. Psalms and Joel.
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45
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17.
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Acts 28 Bible Survey
Acts 28 again (with chart)
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Overview of Acts 28
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50
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18.
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The Four Time Frames of Ephesians
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A survey of the purposes of God according to grace
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20
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19.
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Test things differing
Part 1 Part 2
Part 3 What church during Acts?
Part 4 Themes from Ephs.1-3 Chart a Chart b
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Some common & different things in Isaiah & the Acts period & the post Acts letters of Paul. What is a church?
| 40 |
20.
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The Resurrection of Christ
Part 1 2
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The resurrection of Christ considered dispensationally with emphasis on the ministry of Paul during the Acts period
| 30 |
21.
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Dispensational Elements of Thessalonians
Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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The trumpet in Thess. – Is it about Israel or the Church?
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45
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22.
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Paul’s Conversion Part 1 2
| The trumpet in Thess. – Is it about Israel or the Church? |
36
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23.
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Same Body, Eph.3:6
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Does the term ‘same body’ in Eph.3:6 look back to the Acts period as in 1Cor.12 and Roms.12?
| 55 |
24.
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One New Man Eph.2:11-17
Part 1 2 3 4
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Is the One New Man in existence before Acts 28 or was it not in existence but made possible by the cross?
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54
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25. |
Peter & Paul’s gospel
Old Covenant basis
Part 1 2 3 4 5 |
The First Covenant was old and ready to vanish away when Peter and Paul preached their gospels in Acts 2-3 & 13. Acts was the end of the ages, not the start of “the church.”
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40 |
26. | Zion, as featured in Paul’s Acts period ministry
Zion – Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Part a Part b |
What & where is Zion and how often did Paul directly and indirectly refer to it in his Acts period ministry?
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45
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27.
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The Lord’s Supper / Communion
Part 1 (chart) 2 3
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The Lord’s Supper is a Passover Meal. What is the dispensational setting of Communion and is it appropriate for the Church which is His Body?
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50
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28. |
Colossians Essentials
Part 1 Chart Structure Part 2
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An overview of Colossians looking at structural elements and how they relate to the central section.
| 50 |
29.
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Tithing
Part a
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Is it God’s command for believers today to give one tenth to the “church”?
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50
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30. |
Book of Life Part 1 2 3
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What is the book of life? Does context help answer this question? What is the righteousness of Philippians 3:9?
| 50 |
31. |
Acts, is it a transition period, a gradual dismissal of Israel and a progressive revelation to Paul?
Part 1 2 3 4 5 6
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The Book of Acts spanned nearly 40 years. What is its theme? Did its dispensational setting change from chapter 1 to 28?
| 50 |
32.
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The Weekly Sabbath
Part 1 2 3
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Should the church which is His Body observe the Sabbaths?
| 50 |
33.
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Ephesians, wonderfully different dispensationally (incomplete)
Part 1 2 3 4 5 6
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Unique feature of Ephesians
| 50 |
34. |
Philippians and 2 Timothy compared
Part 1 2
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Philippians 3. Winning Christ, the Prize, the out-resurrection.
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50
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35.
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Ephesians 4:1-17
Part 1 2 (chart here)
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The worthy walk in Ephesians
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50
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36. |
Philippians and 2 Timothy compared
Part 1 2
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Philippians 3. Winning Christ, the Prize, the out-resurrection.
| 50 |
37.
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Wrath to the uttermost
Wrath in Thessalonians
Part 1 2
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Coming of The Lord, gathering and saved from wrath
| 50 |
38. |
Paul’s Acts period letters
Part 1 (chart here)
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Hope of Israel, justification, no other things than those which Moses and the Prophets said was going to happen
| 50 |
39.
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Acts 1:6-7, Ex.19, 24. 1Cor.15 & 1Thess.4
OT Pattern Chart 1 and audio Part 1
Part 2 3 4 5 (clouds)
Part 6 (Num.13-14-Joshua 5-6) Part 7 (The Lord revealed in a cloud) Part 8(revision) Part 9 (guilt found and cleared, Atonement) Part 10
Part 11 12 (Revelation-linen garments) |
The “rapture” in Israel’s typical salvation.Acts 1:6, apostolic mistake or brilliant question. If the Feasts were for Israel in the Type why are they for the church in the antitype?
| 50 |
| Various lessons & Devotionals
1.Ps.116-2Cor.4
2.Themes of Phils. & 2Tim
3.Gen.4 Cain & Abel
4.Humility Phils.2
5.Spiritual Sacrifices 6.Winning Christ, out resurrection
7. Faith & Sight
8.Dwelling Place of God
9.Titus, Word of God in its
10.Unique time
11.Headship of Christ
12.Three Churches
13.Time & Patience LOOKING
14.Trumpets, seven
15.Fullness 16.Summary of Two Seeds
17.Gabriel in Daniel & Luke
18.Tithing
19.James 1:5(ask for wisdom)
20.walk of faith, its personal
21.Calling of Grace-Eph.1
22. God doesn’t change, but He changes things
23.No looking back
24.Yom Kippur, family rejection and acceptance
25.The hope of glory of post Acts (Chart) 26. Thoughts from Philippians
27.2Tim2 Theme 1
28.Eph.1:5 in love
29. Milk & Meat (milk = apostasy?)
30.Philemon CHART | |
45
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*Average Time |
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