It's much more than just "Romans through Philemon"

Suppose you're the leader of a bible study. Your group is made up of believers from the Pentecostal denominations and the Baptist denominations, and they trust Paul's gospel with all honesty and sincerity. That's good! Step one has been sucessful and officially complete.

Now to get them learning more, you tell them to go home from this bible study, and read Romans, because after all, "everything we need for today is in Romans through Philemon." When everyone meets up again after having read the book of Romans on their own free time, they state how Romans only confirms what they previously learned at their old churches, and in some cases, cancels out Mid Acts! Confused by this reaction, you ask for more clarification, and the people of your group state the following:

"In Romans 2:28-29", says the Pentecostal, "Paul calls us Jews, and explains to us certain things about our heart condition for this day and age, making us spiritual Israel, but we already knew that."

"In Romans 6:3-4" says the Baptist, "Paul connects us to John's baptism mentioned in Matthew. But I already took part in that in the baptistry with my old pastor years ago before meeting up with you and your Mid Acts ministry."

"In Romans 8:1-4" says another Pentecostal, "Paul explains that if I don't walk in the spirit, there could be problems with salvation. I'm confused...that doesn't sound like the Paul with the gospel from 1 Corinthians 15:3-4...could you explain?"

"In Romans 11:16-24" says another Pentecostal, "at least this proves we're the grafted in ones. I liked when I read that. "

"In Romans 16:7" says the Baptist, "There were people In Christ before Paul...and if that's so, how could he be the first one saved in the Body of Christ? This actually seems to cancel out a few things concerning your Mid Acts ministry."

...and now if you're not ready, you could have a mess on your hands. These are but 5 things mentioned. Not to include such other things as "Romans 10:9-10" being falsely understood as "the" gospel, and the "Romans Road" that ends up driving people off a cliff into hell (taking them essentially back to Romans 10:9-10).

There is NOTHING wrong with the book of Romans. Romans isn't written wrong, and it needs NO correction. People however have wrong doctrine installed in their inner man via various sources, and it needs to be corrected through the Bible rightly divided.

Telling someone that "Romans through Philemon" is the place to go, without telling them that Paul will have some information, TO Israel, ABOUT Israel, and FOR Israel in the pages could lead some to believe that every single word in Romans through Philemon is for them. That's going to pose a problem when they get to Romans 2 or Romans 11 as in the examples above.

We've got to drive the point deeper as Mid Acts Dispensationalists from the starting point. Clear the area up from the start, and let them understand what's being said, and to whom.

Now, when they read Romans 2:28-29, they can say, "Oh, Paul's talking to Israel, I see that via Romans 2:17".

Now, when the read Romans 6:3-4, they can say, "Oh, that's the Spirit baptism, not water." And you can help them with such verses as 1 Corinthians 12:13 or 1 Corinthians 1:17....not to mention a whole lot more...especially Luke 12:49-50.

Now, when they read Romans 8:1-4, they can say, "I can't possibly lose my salvation. Paul's talking about service, not salvation." And you can show them Galatians 5:17 as an example for more.

Now, when they read Romans 11:16-24, they'll say "We're not grafted in. That's impossible. This is Paul talking about Israel in this chapter." And you can confirm this with Romans 9 and 10 for context concerning Israel with Matthew 21:33-43 as your backup.

And finally, when they read Romans 16:7, they'll say "Ah, this is about people being In Christ before Paul.....which would be those In Christ in the Prophecy program.... The Little Flock of Israel." And you can reference John 15:4 for them.

Don't let them wrest the scriptures...most likely they have no desire to be wrong, but wrong they would be if they plugged in their baggage to Romans, instead of plugging in Romans and dropping their baggage. Anyone can take any verse from anywhere if they have an agenda to run with....and beginners need to hear much more than "Romans through Philemon".

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