Key Scripture "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward" (Ephesians 3:2 KJV)
Introduction God deals with mankind differently in different time periods called dispensations. Understanding these changes helps us rightly divide God's Word and know His instructions for today.
1. What is a Dispensation? A. Biblical Definition
Administration: "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV)
Time period: "According to the dispensation of God which is given to me" (Colossians 1:25 KJV)
Responsibility: "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV)
Stewardship: "Who then is a faithful and wise steward" (Luke 12:42 KJV)
2. Major Dispensations in Scripture A. Time Past
Innocence (Garden)
Direct relationship: "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden" (Genesis 3:8 KJV)
One command: "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat" (Genesis 2:17 KJV)
Failed through disobedience: "She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat" (Genesis 3:6 KJV)
Conscience (After Fall)
Internal guidance: "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts" (Romans 2:15 KJV)
No written law: "For until the law sin was in the world" (Romans 5:13 KJV)
Failed through wickedness: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great" (Genesis 6:5 KJV)
Human Government
Authority given: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed" (Genesis 9:6 KJV)
Capital punishment: "At the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man" (Genesis 9:5 KJV)
Failed through pride: "Let us build us a city and a tower" (Genesis 11:4 KJV)
Promise (Abraham)
Covenant promises: "I will make of thee a great nation" (Genesis 12:2 KJV)
Through one man: "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3 KJV)
Awaiting fulfillment: "Not having received the promises" (Hebrews 11:13 KJV)
Law (Moses to Paul)
Written law: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount" (Exodus 24:12 KJV)
Israel's position: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth" (Amos 3:2 KJV)
Failed to keep: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 KJV)
B. But Now
Grace (Current)
Revealed to Paul: "By revelation he made known unto me the mystery" (Ephesians 3:3 KJV)
No works: "Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:9 KJV)
All blessed: "There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek" (Romans 10:12 KJV)
Mystery program: "Even the mystery which hath been hid" (Colossians 1:26 KJV)
C. Ages to Come
Kingdom
Prophesied: "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom" (Daniel 2:44 KJV)
Israel's restoration: "And so all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26 KJV)
Christ's reign: "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord" (Revelation 11:15 KJV)
3. Current Dispensation Details A. Grace Characteristics
Salvation by faith: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)
No law: "Ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14 KJV)
Heavenly position: "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6 KJV)
Mystery truth: "The mystery which hath been hid from ages" (Colossians 1:26 KJV)
4. Understanding Changes A. Different Requirements
Law Example
Then: "The man that doeth them shall live in them" (Galatians 3:12 KJV)
Now: "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness" (Romans 10:4 KJV)
Salvation Example
Then: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you" (Acts 2:38 KJV)
Now: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31 KJV)
Access Example
Then: "The high priest alone once every year" (Hebrews 9:7 KJV)
Now: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest" (Hebrews 10:19 KJV)
5. Practical Application A. Right Division
Follow current: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV)
Learn from past: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples" (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV)
Understand future: "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51 KJV)
Apply grace: "That we should be to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:12 KJV)
Conclusion Understanding Dispensations:
Shows God's timeline
Explains requirement changes
Clarifies current instructions
Maintains right division
Remember
God changes how He deals with man
Current dispensation is grace
Follow Paul's pattern today
All scripture profitable for learning
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