St. Paul wrote to Timothy, many centuries ago:
βAll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousnessβ (II Tim. 3: 16).
The Apostle referred, of course, to the sacred Scriptures, also called The Bible and The Word of God. All of it, he says, is βGod-breathed and profitable,β to βteach,β to βreprove,β to βcorrectβ and to βinstruct.β
But why, then, have so many heresies and false teachings sprung up through the years β all based upon the Bible? And why have so many thousands of sincere people been led astray by these false teachings?
The reason is that teachers and followers alike have failed to heed another important statement which Paul made in this same letter prior to his declaration that all Scripture is inspired of God and profitable. This statement is found in Chapter 2, Verse 15:
βStudy to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.β
The Bible can prove βprofitableβ to us only as we βrightly divideβ it. We must rightly divide the Word of truth for the simple reason that if we do not do this we can pervert the truth and change it into error. Through the centuries God has periodically altered His dealings with mankind. Many religious rites which were commanded in Old Testament times are positively forbidden in this present dispensation of grace.
In Old Testament times, for example, animal sacrifices were required for acceptance with God, and from John the Baptist through Pentecost water baptism was required (Lev. 17:11; Mk. 1:4; Acts 2:38), but some years after the death of Christ Paul was sent forth with βthe preaching of the cross,β and he declared that: βWe have redemption through [Christβs] blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His graceβ (Eph. 1:7) βBeing justified freely by [Godβs] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesusβ (Rom. 3:24). source
[β¦] than criticize those of the denominations who are saved, we have a responsibility to share the Word rightly divided with them so that they too might be delivered from the commandments of men. As Paul says, we are to [β¦]
[β¦] Then associate yourself with some local assembly where Christ is honored and the Bible taught, βrightly divided.β [β¦]
[β¦] we rightly divide the Word of truth, we learn that Paulβs epistles are written directly to us, the Church, the Body of Christ. [β¦]
[β¦] 2:15: βStudy to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the Word of truth.β In this lesson, we will explore together the proof, importance, location, [β¦]
[β¦] This explains the seemingly heartless instruction to Joshua to exterminate the squatter nations that were sent there by Satan to contest the claim of Abrahamβs seed to the land including, βall that breathedβ (Josh. 10:40), βyoung and oldβ (Josh. 6:21), even their βlittle onesβ (Deut. 2:34). But no such conditions exist on earth today, so any program that calls for the deaths of βunbelieversβ is foreign to the Word of God rightly divided. [β¦]
[β¦] knowledge that God has placed divisions in His Word is, indeed, precious. It helps us better understand truth in Scripture, and dissolves [β¦]
[β¦] to the truth of the Word, rightly divided, is paramount, as is faithfulness in service and worship. The church at Thessalonica was extolled [β¦]