User:Duke Ganote/draft page hyperdispensationalism

Hyper-dispensationalism (or ultra-dispensationalism[1] or more rarely "Bullingerism"[2]) is a niche Protestant doctrine that views the teachings of the Apostle Paul both as unique from earlier apostles and as foundational for the church, a perspective sometimes characterized by proponents as the "Pauline Distinctive" [3]. E. W. Bullinger (1837 – 1913), an Anglican clergyman, developed the original variety of hyperdispensationalism.

Hyper-dispensationalism is rejected by mainstream dispensationalism which holds that the Church began at Pentecost, long prior to Paul's conversion to Christianity as described early in the New Testament book entitled "Acts of the Apostles". Hyper-dispensationalist teachings are sometimes disparaged as "divisive" [4], or even being those of a "cult or sect" [5]. The clearest scholarly references to hyperdispensationalism are made by Charles C. Ryrie [6] and Charles F. Baker.[7]

Advocates of hyper-dispensationalism accept the term "dispensationalism", but reject the prefix "hyper" or "ultra" as pejorative.

General views

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Hyperdispensationalism holds that the early Christian Church lost “four basic truths” starting near the end of the Apostle Paul’s ministry [8]. The four truths are (in order of loss) [9]:

  • The Distinctive Message and Ministry of the Apostle Paul
  • The Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church, the Body of Christ
  • The Difference between Israel and the Church, the Body of Christ
  • Justification by Faith Alone, in Christ Alone.

The truths, advocates say, were gradually recovered in reverse order starting during the Protestant Reformation [10]; for example, Martin Luther is attributed with recovery of "justification by faith" and John Nelson Darby with "Church Truth".

Hyperdispensationalists reject water baptism [11][12][13].

Divisions

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Hyperdispensationalists disagree among themselves as to whether the apostle Paul's early ministry was transitional or currently authoritative for the church. They differentiate among themselves by terminology reflecting when the purportedly authoritative portion of Paul's ministry began in the book of Acts. The most obvious result of this internal differentiation is whether the Lord's Supper is accepted in their church.

Bullinger held that Paul's authoritative teaching began at the conclusion of the book of Acts, a viewpoint characterized as "Acts 28" dispensationalism (chapter 28 being the concluding chapter of the book). Other writers holding this position include Sir Robert Anderson, Charles H. Welch, Oscar M. Baker, and Otis Q. Sellers. Acts 28 Dispensationalists distinguish themselves with their belief that today’s Church, is exclusively revealed in Paul’s later writings, in the so-called "Prison Epistles." [14] Acts 28 Dispensationalists tend to reject all sacraments including the Lord’s Supper [15].

The so-called "Mid-Acts" position was developed later by Cornelius R. Stam, Charles F. Baker, among others, and reflects their position that Paul's currently authoritative ministry began in either the ninth or thirteenth chapter. The Mid-Acts position accepts the Lord's Supper [16].

Notes

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  1. ^ Eleventh Avenue Church
  2. ^ "The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, Chapter 51: "Did the Church Begin with Pentecost of Acts Two?"". If one believes that the Body of Christ began historically with the advent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, he is given the right hand of fellowship by the "regular" Fundamentalists. If one believes that the Body of Christ began after the close of the "Acts" period, the "regulars" brand him as an "ultradispensationalist" and from their camp goes up the cry "Bullingerism."
  3. ^ Robert Hanna. "The Pauline Legacy—Our Heritage". Berean Bible Society. Unless one recognizes the distinctive message committed to Paul, one is left in darkness and confusion as to his spiritual standing, purpose, and destiny as a child of God.
  4. ^ Sarah Pulliam (2007-10-10). "Christianity Today magazine, "Dispensational Dustup: Student dismissed from leadership for 'potentially divisive' beliefs."". Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota removed a senior [Josh Strelecki] as student ministries director because of theological views that some at the college called "hyper-dispensational [and] potentially divisive"...Strelecki holds to three controversial beliefs: that the book of James was written for Israel and not for the church; that the church started with Paul and not at Pentecost; and that Israel was saved by faith and works, not by faith alone... Northwestern upholds a broadly evangelical doctrinal statement... {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  5. ^ Jamin Hubner (2010-07-16). "A Theological Introduction to Hyper-Dispensationalism". Alpha & Omega Ministries, directed by James White (theologian). Hyper-Dispensationalism is consistent Dispensationalism. Darby effectively replaced Gods' covenants (i.e covenant with Adam) with his dispensations (i.e. "dispensation of innocence"). But only hyper-dispensationalists fully carry out the implications. In conclusion, it appears that Hyper-Dispensationalism has attributes of both a cult and a sect... {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  6. ^ "Dispensationalism Today by Charles C. Ryrie, pages 194-195, Chicago, Moody Press, 1965]
  7. ^ "Dispensational Theology" by Charles F. Baker, page 16, Grace Publications, 1971]
  8. ^ E. W. Bullinger. "The Loss and Recovery of Truth". We are told, on every hand, today, that we must go back to the first three centuries to find the purity of faith and worship of the primitive church! But it is clear from this comparison of Acts 19:10 and II Timothy 1:15, that we cannot go back to the first century. No, not even to the apostle's own lifetime!
  9. ^ E. W. Bullinger (1905). "The Loss and Recovery of Truth". It was Pauline truth and teaching from which all had "turned away." ...that led necessarily To the loss of the teaching concerning the Mystery; that truth concerning the one Body of Christ... the truth of the Lord's promised return from heaven; and of resurrection[and] the truth as to what God had made us to be in Christ; and "justification by faith"
  10. ^ J.C. O'Hair (1905). "The Loss and Recovery of Truth". "Martin Luther," he said, "recovered justification by faith." John Darby recovered the Blessed Hope and something of Church Truth.
  11. ^ E. W. Bullinger (1916). "HOW TO ENJOY THE BIBLE" (PDF). "the gospel of the kingdom" will again be made (see above) and accompanied by its companion ordinance of baptism
  12. ^ J.C. O'Hair. [http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/ohair/GRACE%20WORKS%20IN%20ADOBE/RECOVERY%20OF%20LOST%20BIBLE%20TRUTH,%20THE.pdf quote=Tongues, visions and miraculous signs are inseparably connected with water baptism in the Bible and any Scriptural exegesis which will eliminate the one will eliminate the other. "The Recovery of Lost Bible Truth"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing pipe in: |url= (help); line feed character in |url= at position 115 (help)
  13. ^ John C. O'Hair. "THE RECOVERY OF LOST TRUTH: LET'S DE-JUDAIZE THE CHURCH OF CHRIST: THIS WILL BRING A MIGHTY REVIVAL" (PDF). one of the principal reasons why baptism has caused so much disunity and so many unpleasant controversies is because many Christian have confused the baptism by Christ in the Spirit (Luke 3:17 and Acts 1:5) with the death baptism of Luke 12:50 and the death baptism of Romans 6:3 and 4. Another reason is that they have not carefully compared the six or more baptisms of the Four Gospels and the Book of Acts with the 'one baptism' of Ephesians 4:5
  14. ^ Charles Welch. "The Berean Expositor. Acts xvii. 10, 11" (PDF). Paul was not "under the law" so far as salvation was concerned, but at the same time he was not standing in the full light of the Mystery, as made known in his prison epistles. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 113 (help)
  15. ^ Charles Welch. [http://www.charleswelch.net/BE%20Vol%2011%20Final.pdf quote=This settles the question of baptism and the Lord’s supper, the decrees of Acts xv., the order and gifts of I Corinthians, and the many other questions which half-grasped truth begets. The church of the one body is a new creation. "The Berean Expositor. Acts xvii. 10, 11"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing pipe in: |url= (help); line feed character in |url= at position 54 (help)
  16. ^ Paul M. Sadler. "The Truth About the Truth". Concerning the Lord's Supper, Pastor Stam has always taught that the Apostle Paul received a special revelation from our Lord regarding communion. The command of Christ is unmistakably clear that it should be observed until He returns for the Church,

See also

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  • Dispensationalism
  • E. W. Bullinger -- describes some of the basic theology, especially the Acts 28 doctrine
  • Grace Bible College -- first president of the college was Charles F. Baker; In the mid-1960s, the College experienced a break with one of its early supporters, Cornelius R. Stam

References

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  • Stam, Cornelius R., Things That Differ, 1951, Berean Bible Society, Germantown, WI
  • Bullinger, E.W.,The Foundations of Dispensational Truth, Reprinted 1972, Samuel Bagster & Sons LTD 72 Marylebone Lane, London. W.I.
  • Baker, Charles F., A Dispensational Theology, 1971, Grace Bible College Publications, Grand Rapids, MI
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Category:Christian eschatology Category:Christian theological movements Category:Christianity-related controversies Category:Paul the Apostle