Episode Overview

Podcast: Grace in Focus
Title: How Can We Know Which Parts of Scripture Can Be Directly Applied to Us?
Host(s): Ken Yates, Kathryn Wright
Date: November 11, 2025
Length: 13 minutes

This episode focuses on a crucial question for Christians studying the Bible: How do we determine which parts of Scripture are directly applicable to us today? Hosts Ken Yates and Kathryn Wright, in response to a listener’s inquiry, unpack the process of biblical interpretation, using both Old and New Testament examples to illustrate when a scriptural command or promise is uniquely historical and when it is universally relevant for believers, especially in the church age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener’s Question: Application of Particular Passages (01:17)

• Cindy’s Dilemma: Cindy, leading a ladies’ Bible study, observed that Jeremiah 29 was clearly addressed to Israel, but wondered why Philippians 4:6–7 could be applied to Christians today and not Jeremiah 29.

2. Principle of Context and Audience (01:53–05:08)

• Ken: “For example, if a passage is dealing with the nation of Israel in the context, is it legitimate then to say, well that’s for us?” (01:53)
• As dispensationalists, Yates and Wright stress that the church is not equated with Israel, and not every biblical promise transfers across time or covenant.
• Example: Instructions in Jeremiah 29 (like building houses in Babylon) were for Israelites in exile under discipline.
• Kathryn: “We’re not in Babylon, you know, we’re not the nation of Israel. … So she rightfully sees that and sees the distinction.” (04:00)

3. Specific Instructions vs. Universal Principles (05:08–06:40)

• Ken: Clarifies that Old Testament situations (like Jews commanded to settle in Babylon) result specifically from God's covenant with Israel (“if you obey me, I’ll bless you, but if you disobey me, I’m going to discipline you”) (04:44).
• Not every command is transferable; e.g., Paul telling Timothy to drink wine for his stomach (06:08) is a personal, not universal, directive.

4. New Testament Applications and Potential Pitfalls (07:15–08:14)

• Both admit it isn’t always straightforward to decide what applies to all believers: “When is something applicable to all believers when we read about it in the New Testament?” (07:15 - Ken)
• Even the “Great Commission” is debated: “Is that for all believers or is that for the twelve?” (07:39 - Ken)
• Kathryn: “I would say it’s for the disciples, for the apostles.” (07:53)

5. Biblical Principles for Interpretation (08:14–08:47)

• Kathryn: Even if a passage isn’t directly for us, “there are principles that we can take from that passage” (08:14).
• Ken: Applies Paul’s teaching (“be anxious for nothing” from Philippians 4:6-7) first to the specific church, then to believers in the church age more broadly—because the church epistles address all the church (09:57).

6. Timeless Spiritual Truths Across Dispensations (11:11–12:39)

• Kathryn: Suggests some spiritual truths (“don’t be anxious, bring your cares to God”) transcend their immediate context—true “for any dispensation of believer.” (11:11)
• Ken references Psalmist’s “trust” and Peter’s “casting all your cares upon Him” as illustrating this (11:30–11:53).

7. Conclusion: Summary Principles for Application (12:12–12:39)

• Kathryn: “It just depends on the context.” (12:12)
• Epistles written to churches during the church age carry direct application for present-day believers.
• The importance of “let us” (“let us statements that Bob always likes to talk about”) shows these collective commands are often universal for the church (12:15–12:39).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ken (On context):
  “As dispensationalists, we know that the church is not the new Israel, that God made certain promises to Israel and he didn’t make them to the church.” (02:08)
• Kathryn (On principalization):
  “Could we not say even Jeremiah, that there are principles that we can take from that passage? Yes, we’re not called to go move to Babylon and start a family, start a family and build a house or whatever, vineyards, but we see principles that we can learn: when the Lord tells us things, we should obey it even when it’s difficult.” (08:14)
• Ken (On the promise of Philippians 4:6-7):
  “He’s telling us not to be anxious for anything. But as we go to the Lord in prayer with our requests, giving thanks... we’re going to experience... the peace of God.” (09:57)
• Kathryn (On cross-dispensational application):
  “Would it be fair to say there’s a sense in which that’s true for even the Old Testament believers?” (11:11)
• Kathryn (On method):
  “We have to look at these contexts within their individual meanings. But […] when we get into the epistles addressed to the church, as we are still in the church age, then we can look at those instructions… that those include us.” (12:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:17 – Listener’s Question Introduced
• 02:08 – Distinction between Israel and Church; context matters
• 04:00–05:08 – Old Testament contextual commands (Jeremiah 29)
• 06:08 – Example: Paul’s advice to Timothy isn’t universal
• 07:15 – The challenge of applying New Testament instructions
• 08:14 – “All Scripture is profitable”—principles vs. direct commands
• 09:57 – Application of Philippians 4:6–7
• 11:30 – Trust in God and spiritual timelessness
• 12:12 – “It depends on the context”; how epistles apply to the church

Summary Takeaways

• Scripture’s Application Depends on Audience and Context: Not all biblical passages are direct commands for Christians today—some were for specific audiences (e.g., Israel in exile, individual disciples).
• Spiritual Principles Can Transcend Context: While not all instructions are universal, biblical principles (like trusting God in trials) can be.
• Church Epistles Provide the Clearest Direct Application: For Christians in the “church age,” instructions in New Testament epistles are usually applicable.
• Discernment and Contextual Study are Key: Christians must read each passage in context, discerning between specific, historical instructions and timeless spiritual truths.

Final Word:
As Kathryn succinctly puts it, “It just depends on the context.” (12:12) Wise, grace-filled Bible study distinguishes faithfully between what is “for us” and what was “for them”—without losing sight of God’s broader principles for all His people.