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Ultra-Dispensationalism - H.A. IronsidePage 24 of 54say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!" It was after that house was leftdesolate that the glorious proclamation at Pentecost was given through the power of theHoly Spirit, offering salvation by grace to any in Israel who repented, and to as many asthe Lord our God shall call, which, of course, includes the whole Gentile world. Notonce in any of the sermons recorded of Peter and of Paul do we have a hint that thenation of Israel is still on trial, and that God is waiting for that nation to repent in thisage. On the contrary, the very fact that believers are called upon to "save themselvesfrom that untoward generation" is evidence of the complete setting aside of Israelnationally, and the calling out of a select company of those who acknowledge the claimsof the Lord Jesus Christ. By their baptism, they outwardly severed the link that boundthem to the unbelieving nation, and thus came over onto Christian ground. To thiscompany, Gentile believers were later added, and these two together constitute the Bodyof Christ. It is perfectly true that the Body as such is not mentioned in the book of Acts,and that for a very good reason. In this book, we have the record of the beginning of theevangelization of the world, which involves, of course, not the revelation of the truth ofthe Body, but the proclamation of the kingdom of God, which none can enter apart fromthe new birth.A careful study of the epistles, taking particular note of the times at which, and thepersons to whom, they were written. will only serve to make these things clearer.CHAPTER FOURWhen Was the Revelation of the Mystery of the One Body Given?IT IS contended by Bullingerites, and others of like ilk, that Paul did not receive therevelation of the mystery of the one Body until he was imprisoned in Rome, 63 A. D.Generally, too, the ground is taken that this revelation was given to him alone, and thatthe twelve knew nothing of it. Let us see if these assertions will stand the test of HolyScripture.We shall turn, first of all, directly to the writings of the apostle Paul, and examine thepassages in which he refers to this subject. The first one is found in the Epistle to thefile://C:\MYtemp3\Wrongly_dividing.htm2/12/06
Ultra-Dispensationalism - H.A. IronsidePage 25 of 54Romans which was written, according to the best authorities, in the year A. D. 60, at leastthree years before Paul's imprisonment, and certainly some time before he reachedRome, as in that letter he tells the Romans that he is contemplating the visit to them, andasks them to pray that it might be a prosperous one. It might seem as though his prayerwas not answered inasmuch as he reached Rome in chains, a prisoner for the Gospel'ssake. But God's ways are not ours, and we can be sure that in the light of eternity, weshall see that this was indeed one of the most prosperous voyages that anyone evermade. Now in closing this epistle to the Romans, the apostle says in chapter 16, verses 25to 2 7:"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and thepreaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which waskept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the Scripturesof the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, madeknown to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise, be glory throughJesus Christ for ever. Amen."Here we have the plain statement that Paul's preaching throughout the years had been inaccordance with the revelation of the mystery previously kept secret, but at that timemade manifest. Moreover, he intimates that it had been already published abroad inwriting, for he says, "It is made manifest (not exactly by the Scriptures of the prophets, asthough he referred to Old Testament prophets, but) by prophetic writings," that is, hisown and others. And this proclamation of the mystery had been made known to allnations for the obedience of faith.Does anyone ask, How can any ultra-dispensationalist dare to say in the face of such aScripture as this, that the mystery had not been made known and had not been previouslypreached before Paul was imprisoned at Rome? If a simple believing Christian, he willprobably be amazed at the answer. Dr. Bullinger and others who follow him suggest thatin all likelihood the last three verses of the Epistle to the Romans were not written byPaul when he sent the letter from some distant Gentile city, but that they were appendedto the letter after he reached Rome and received the new revelation. Is thisunbelievable? Nevertheless, it is exactly what these men teach. It is higher criticism offile://C:\MYtemp3\Wrongly_dividing.htm2/12/06
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