Conclusion

CONCLUSION

We have briefly studied 28 problems of Acts 2 Dispensationalism. These problems cause inconsistencies in the Acts 2 interpretation of Scripture.

Over half of the 28 problems are also found in Covenant Theology. Covenant Theology and Acts 2 Theology have more in common than believers realize. The inconsistencies in the Acts 2 position opens the door for Covenant scholars to severely criticize them. You see, they are like 'brother' and 'sister' in a family. Everyone knows how brothers and sisters fight, or for that matter, how brothers fight with each other. And so it is when it comes to the two main systems of theology in Protestantism.

When believers are confronted with the problems outlined here, they merely shrug them off as being unnecessary to salvation, and therefore, not important. After all, being saved by faith in Christ alone is what is important. Everything else is secondary and we shouldn't fight over secondary things. This is the way most Christians think.

Even though this attitude is very common, it is not the best attitude to have. Our Father God doesn't want us to believe this way. He wants us to have 'accurate knowledge' of His Word and of His will. This is clearly stated in Colossians 1:9-10:

"For this reason, we also, from which day we heard (of it), do not stop praying for you and asking, in order that you might be filled (with) the accurate knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual insight, [101 (for) you to regulate your life in a manner worthy of the Lord unto every desire to please, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing into the accurate knowledge of God" (author's translation).

This passage is of supreme importance when it comes to the subject of knowing God's will for today. The main problem that believers have is realizing that they have to 'unlearn' what they had been previously taught in relation to the subjects discussed Israel and the Church. The 28 problems demonstrate that Acts 2 Theology and Covenant Theology do not know how to fully understand what the Bible teaches about 'Israel' and the 'Church.' Pauline Dispensationalism DOES KNOW how to teach accurately what the Bible says about them, and this is because we know how to use the one rule of interpretation that is so fundamental in understanding God's Word - rightly dividing the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

The biggest failure of the Acts 2 position is their refusal to go further into the Revelation of the Mystery revealed exclusively to Paul. They know it exists but try to explain it away, as their comments on Eph. 3:6 and on Rom. 16:25 attest. So problem No. 4 would be their biggest problem of the 28 that are discussed in this study.

There would be a mighty revival among God's people and a tremendous evangelistic outreach to the unsaved if Acts 2 brethren would see their mistake in following Peter rather than Paul. The Church needs to be united on Pauline doctrine in order for it to achieve anything for the risen Christ Jesus, its Saviour and Head.

Finally, I hope and pray that these differences will help you to evaluate your theology and what to believe in regards to various areas of Bible teaching. May the Holy Spirit help you to make the right decision.

By Robert C. Brock

[This study was a four-part series in the Journal of Pauline Dispensationalism in 1990-1991, numbers 6,7,8,9, with some additions]
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