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Because It Believes The Bible Is A Book To Be Rightly Divided The
famous passage is found in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to show thyself approved
unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of Truth.” The word “study” is rendered in the Greek as meaning
“to use speed; to give diligence, endeavor, labor.” The American
Standard Version reads: “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word
of truth.” Rightly dividing, or handling aright, is a vital part of studying
God’s inspired Word. God has always given man commands — He even gave commands
to Adam and Eve. But the student of the scriptures must know which commands
apply to him and which ones do not, thus, he must rightly divide. For example,
in the Patriarchal dispensation, God spoke to the head of the family, the
father or patriarch, and gave commands. There was no written system of
religion as we have today. This dispensation began with Adam. Next, was
the Jewish or Mosaic age. This age grew out of the temporal and earthly
blessing made to Abraham (Gen. 12:2). The Mosaic dispensation was the first
to have a written religious system (ten commandments, Exo. 19- 20). Rather
than by family, God gave this law as a national system. Each tribe attended
to the administration of government, instead of each father for a ruler
or king. One tribe was devoted to the office of the priesthood. Likewise,
there was one national altar and one national house of God. This age was
not designed by God to last until the end of time, but was meant only to
lead up to the next age to come (Rom. 8:3; Gal. 3:19-24; Eph. 2:15; Col.
2:14; Heb. 8:7; 10:1- 4). The last of the dispensations is the Christian
age. This age also grew out of the spiritual promise made to Abraham (Gen.
12:3; 22:18). Hebrews 7:12 explains that a change of priesthood necessitates
a change of law. Jesus Christ is now the high priest (Heb. 9:11), thus
His law is now that which we are under. Hebrews 9:16-17 points out that
Christ’s law was not operative until His death. The law of Christ is given
to all nations (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Eph. 2:14, 16; Gal. 3:28), unlike
the Mosaic age. We live under the Christen age. “This is my beloved Son,,,hear
ye Him” (Matt. 17:5b). May God help us all to study His Word and handle
it aright! —Robert Hatfield, Pulaski, TN