Right Divide

2 Timothy 2:15 (KGV)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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Why did Paul instruct Timothy to study and rightly divide the word of truth?

Paul preached and taught a gospel that was kept secret (hid) from ages and from other generations.

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Jesus in his earthly ministry preached to the nation of Israel only. The revelation that Peter received from the Father was that Jesus was the promised Christ (Messiah) for the Nation of Israel, Matthew 16:16.

Peter preached Christ crucifixion as a bad thing for the Nation of Israel to do to their Messiah King, (Acts 2:36).

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Gentiles were never waiting for a Messiah. Therefore, how could a Gentile receive salvation? The answer is that God commissioned Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, (Romans 11:13). God instituted a new administration of His will (Ephesians 3:1-5). Once the full number of the Gentiles come in, (Romans 11:25) God will Rapture the Body of Christ & re-start the Kingdom of God program to save Israel.

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Paul on the other hand preach 'Christ, and him crucified' as gospel, good news.

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Today, we are saved by the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation, Romans 1:16, for the preaching of the cross is to us who are saved, it is the power of God, 1 Corinthians 1:18. It is God’s free gift to anyone who believes, for it is by grace through faith in Jesus' work on the cross. The clearest scripture for this is:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
1.) Moreover, brethren, I declared unto you the gospel which I preach unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2.) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3.) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to scriptures;
4.) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to scripture.

Once you believe that God sent His son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, you change your mind (repent) and believe and trust in His work on the Cross. You are now justified by his blood and will be saved from God’s wrath through Jesus Christ, Romans 5:9.