A Journey into Rightly Dividing the Word 📖✝️
Leaving a denomination is never an easy decision, especially when it involves something as personal as one’s faith. But for me, it was a necessary step because I began to realize that the doctrines taught were not aligned with Paul’s gospel as revealed in the Scriptures. After years of studying the Word and learning to rightly divide it, I found that many of the beliefs I held were contrary to Paul’s teaching—and they weren’t just small differences. They were foundational to understanding salvation, forgiveness, and the Christian life. 😔
Here are the key reasons I had to step away from my old denomination:
1. Salvation Can Be Lost? ❌
One of the most troubling doctrines I encountered was the teaching that salvation could be lost. This creates fear and confusion about whether we are truly secure in Christ. According to Paul’s gospel, salvation is secure for the believer.
• Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption at the Rapture of the Body of Christ.
• Romans 8:38-39 assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not even death or life.
Paul clearly teaches that salvation is a gift that cannot be lost once we’ve placed our faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). 🕊️ So why was I hearing the opposite in my old church? It became clear that this teaching was not aligned with the gospel of grace Paul preached.
2. Conditional Forgiveness? ⛔
Another doctrine that troubled me was the idea of conditional forgiveness. According to this teaching, forgiveness is not guaranteed unless we forgive others first. While Jesus does speak of forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15, it’s important to understand that Paul teaches forgiveness in a different context for the Body of Christ.
• Colossians 2:13-14 says that God has forgiven all our trespasses through the work of Christ on the cross.
• Ephesians 4:32 calls us to forgive others, but this is based on the forgiveness we’ve already received in Christ—not a condition for receiving forgiveness ourselves.
The key difference is that in Paul’s ministry, forgiveness is a completed work through Christ, not something we need to earn or constantly worry about. This is liberating! ✨
3. Tithing: A Requirement or a Grace? 💰
Tithing was another practice I struggled with. The idea that tithing is a strict requirement for Christians today comes from Old Testament law, but Paul never imposes such a law on the Body of Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 9:7 clearly teaches that giving is to be done cheerfully and according to one’s own heart, not as a legalistic obligation.
In my old denomination, we’re made to feel guilty for not giving 10% of income, but Paul teaches us that grace-giving is about freedom, not law. 💸
4. Water Baptism: Is It Required Today? 💧
Water baptism was another practice that became confusing for me. Many churches teach that water baptism is essential for salvation, but Paul makes it clear that water baptism is not a requirement for salvation in the Dispensation of Grace.
• In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul explicitly states that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel.
• In Romans 6:3-4, Paul refers to our baptism into Christ spiritually, not water baptism. Our identification with Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection is the focus, not a physical act of water baptism.
The difference between the gospel of the kingdom (which taught water baptism) and the gospel of grace (which Paul preached) is crucial to understanding why water baptism is not a requirement today. 🚫
5. Being Under the New Covenant: Is That Us Today? 🏛️
One of the most critical issues I found was the teaching that we, the Body of Christ, are under the New Covenant. But the New Covenant was made with Israel, not the Church.
• Jeremiah 31:31 clearly states that God would make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
• Hebrews 8:8-9 reiterates this, showing that the New Covenant is Israel-specific, and it is not for the Church, the Body of Christ, in this dispensation.
• Romans 11:25-26 shows that the fullness of the Gentiles will come in before God restores Israel.
The New Covenant involves Israel’s future restoration and promises, but as believers in the Church, we are living in a new dispensation where the gospel of grace reigns, separate from Israel’s covenant promises. We are in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, not under a covenant that was made with a nation. 🇮🇱
Why I Choose to Follow Paul’s Gospel 📜💬
It was through studying Paul’s epistles that I began to see how much clearer and more consistent the gospel of grace is. Paul is the only apostle given the unique revelation of the mystery (Romans 16:25-26, Ephesians 3:9), and his letters reveal the truths that we, as members of the Body of Christ, must understand.
• Romans 2:16 – Paul’s gospel is the standard by which all believers today should live.
• Galatians 1:11-12 – Paul received his gospel directly from Jesus Christ and it is distinct from the kingdom message.
By rightly dividing the Word (2 Timothy 2:15), I was able to recognize the stark contrast between the kingdom gospel and the gospel of grace. I’m now free from legalism, free from fear, and confident in my salvation, knowing that it’s based on Christ’s finished work—nothing else. 🕊️💕
Key Takeaways:
• Salvation is secure in Christ—it cannot be lost (Ephesians 1:13-14).
• Forgiveness is unconditional, based on what Christ has already done (Colossians 2:13-14).
• Tithing is not a requirement under grace; we give cheerfully as we are led (2 Corinthians 9:7).
• Water baptism is not essential for salvation today—our spiritual baptism in Christ is what matters (Romans 6:3-4).
• The New Covenant is for Israel—we are in the Dispensation of Grace, under Paul’s gospel (Romans 11:25-26).
If you’re still confused about these teachings, I encourage you to dive into Paul’s epistles for clarity. The gospel of grace is freeing, joyful, and complete in Christ. ✨
Have you struggled with any of these doctrines? Let’s discuss! 💬👇
