Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 24:68 (Spring 2020)
Article: Editorial
Author: Anonymous

Editorial

Each generation of believers has the calling to entrust and preserve “the whole counsel of God’s Word” to those who follow. To accomplish such a task demands continual dependence upon God. The ability and assurance to live productively as followers of Jesus Christ is based upon being “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 2:1). The believer’s relationship with the Lord must be developing in trust prior to impacting the lives of others. The perpetual dynamic of God’s grace is what enables a Christian to be faithful. One must not only guard the gospel message, but also must instruct others in the biblical revelation and “entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (v. 2b).

Negatively speaking, faithfulness involves not ignoring, falsifying, or neglecting the apostolic instructions (“the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses,” v. 2a). Positively, the means for the perpetuation of the biblical faith consists in being “diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (v. 15). All who follow Christ are to be consecrated to God and thus work diligently for his approval. God bestows his approval upon the one who manifests godliness, love, and truth in daily living, and who accurately wields the word of truth. False teachers are those who mishandle God’s Word for their own benefit, and (in those circumstances) faithful proclamation involves refuting erroneous ideas or mistaken beliefs. Being “faithful” necessitates teaching God’s Word in accordance with the divinely intended meaning and purpose.

The task of entrusting the gospel to other faithful individuals means observing the quality of adherence to God’s truth in the doctrine and life of these believers (cf. 1 Tim 4:16). In that regard, the first article (written by Christopher Cone) in the present Journal addresses the work of the Holy Spirit today as revealed in Scripture and challenged by the New Apostolic Reformation. Faithfulness determines rewards at the judgment seat of Christ, and Kenneth Dowlen indicates the importance of this doctrine. Of course, one’s manner of living must correspond to the proclamation of biblical truth, and John Wiley’s contribution helps one understand the distinct perspective of the dispensational view of sanctification. The integrity of a person who claims to be a theologian is certainly evident in accurately explaining one’s position in Adam and in Christ, which Daniel Starcevich researched in his exegetical analysis of You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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