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epouraniois

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PRELUDE-Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed -But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons. -(For many [believers] walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: -For the word of God [our only help] is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. In the NT, Paul wrote 14 books out of the 27. Paul never met Christ Jesus while the Messiah was in the flesh. Paul, reflecting:Act 26:13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. Act 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Act 26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Act 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Act 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Act 26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: Act 26:20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. In v16, we can clearly see that Paul had two ministries, to preach those things he had seen, and God promises he will teach those things which God will later make known to him. About 8 years after Calvary is about when Paul receives this vision of the LORD on Damascus road [Acts 22:17-21], and the pattern of when Israel will see Him who they have pierced, and repent [1 Tim 1:16].Act 22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.Paul tried at the first to preach in Damascus after his conversion, & he had to flee for his life, and go over the wall in a basket. Now, they plot against his life in Jerusalem because of his teaching, and the LORD tells him to depart, for he is to go out and proclaim the kingdom to the Jews in dispersion, while the 12 where to stay in Judea, in Jerusalem and proclaim it there. So, here is the division of the ministry. But Paul didn’t teach to gentiles for about 6 years, he preached only to Jews for 9 years at the beginning of his ministry.In Romans 11 we find the reason to preach to the gentiles was to provoke Israel to jealousy. Not for the gentile’s sake, because Israel’s commission was to go to the gentiles someday, but that will have to be in the millennial kingdom. Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. When Paul speaks to the gentiles, it is not another gospel, he was still proclaiming the kingdom, only this, that the gentiles could partake of Israel’s hope and blessings without coming under the law. It was by grace, and this is the gospel of the grace of God, that Paul taught for 18 years to gentiles outside of the wall of the synogaguge; but that the Jews were required to keep the law. Even in Romans [7:12] he says the law is just and Holy, & good. A great many people have the misconception that Paul was preaching “the church” during Acts, but he wasn’t, and neither were the 12. Notice in Acts 15, at the counsel, the question was not one of doctrine, no, it was to whom should the gospel of the kingdom be preached, that was the question. Of course, the Judahizers were insisting Paul could not teach them until they first be circumcised & become Jews; and they were both quoting scripture, and Paul quotes from Deuteronomy where it is prophesied that God would use a foreign people to provoke Israel to jealousy, and that was exactly what the teaching gentiles was for, so that Israel would bring forth fruit and accept the kingdom which was close at hand at that time. We find Paul teaching the gospel of the grace of God in Acts 20:24. In Acts 28:28 it is about 27 years after Paul’s conversion on the Damascus road. 9 years to Jews only and 18 years to both Jew and Gentile.Then comes the “Mystery”, and the new apostleship of Paul, see Eph 3, and another dispensation of the Grace of God.By the time you answer the following questions, by finding the answers in the Bible, your knowledge of God’s plan in relation to you will have increased, and your pathway shall be clear for a worthy walk in truth and in light in hope and glory in Christ:FIRST SEVEN QUESTIONS1We know, by Corinthians and Thessalonians especially, that Paul was looking for the “Parousia”, and to be living when that occurred. When did Paul cease looking for that parousia and expect to die?2 At one time Paul was an able minister of the new covenant. When did Paul cease to preach the new covenant?3 In Romans 2 we are told that the message is to the Jew first, and that Paul always went to the Jew first. And he practiced what he preached, and yet, there came a time when the gospel was no longer preached to the Jew. When was that?4In the latter part of the book of Acts Paul said he was bound and in chains for the hope of Israel. In Ephesians 3 he says he is the prisoner of the LORD for us gentiles. When did Paul cease to be bound for the hope of Israel, and become a prisoner for the hope of us gentiles? What happened? 5When was the “Mystery” which had been “hid in God” from all ages first preached by Paul? 6At one time (Act 26:22) Paul taught none other things than that which was taught by Moses and the Prophets. When did he cease teaching that, and begin to teach a message of which Moses and the Prophets knew nothing?7In Romans 9, and it’s emphasized, that the Word of God was the prerogative of the Jew to be proclaimed. When did the preaching of the Word cease to be the sole right and prerogative of the Jew?
 

Christina

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I don't now all the answers off hand I will check them out but this is a wonderfully written study Epo thank you:)
 
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epouraniois

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It is somewhat helpful to know which of Paul’s epistles were written after Acts:EphesiansPhilippiansColossiansPhilemon1 TimothyTitus2 Timothy"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"SEVEN MORE QUESTIONS8We find in Paul’s early ministry that he advised the widows not to marry, and later he advised the younger widows to marry. When did the first one cease and the other begin? What is the reason?9When did the events of history cease to be the fulfillment of prophecy? 10When did believing Israel cease to be a chosen nation, a royal priesthood and a Holy nation? At what point as Israel's kingdom temporarily suspended?11here was a time when Paul had the ability to boast, that whatever any one had as gifts of the Spirit, Paul had more. And yet, there came a time when he counted these things but refuse, worth nothing. When, at what point did that happen? When did all these things that were at work under the law cease to be of value to him?12There was a time when Jewish Christians were zealous of the law, and rightly so, for Paul said it was good, but when were they released from the obligations of the law, and to operate under grace?13When did gentiles cease to be partakers of the Word which was sent to Israel, and receive a gospel of their own? When did the gentiles receive a Bible of their own?14When did believers cease to look for an earthly kingdom, and begin to have a hope of going to heaven at resurrection?
 

tomwebster

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epouraniois, just a brief request, for us old people (ie: me) Please do not post in red, my old eyes have a hard time reading it .
 
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epouraniois

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Duly noted. In the meanwhile, you should be able to hold down the 'Ctrl' key while rolling the mouse wheel to adjust the size of the text.
 

Bevex

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(tomwebster;9260)
epouraniois, just a brief request, for us old people (ie: me) Please do not post in red, my old eyes have a hard time reading it .
You can use your mouse (left click) to highlight (select) the text. That will change the color of the text and the background, making it very easy to read.I wait with bated breath for the answers to these loaded questions.
 
E

epouraniois

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SEVEN MORE QUESTIONS15When did believers cease to 'see' their 'calling' (1 Cor 1:26 ), and Paul begin to pray that they may know what is the hope of His calling?16John the Baptist baptized, and then we had the baptism of water and spirit, but in Ephesians we have only One Baptism. When did that become God’s order? What was the reason?17When [Mark16] did tongues, signs, and visions cease? And faith and faith alone become God’s order?18When did men cease to have unequal gifts & powers, and cease to be members in particular (1 Cor 12:27) and saints and faithful come into the equality in standing before God?19 We find that the apostle Paul was able to heal just as well as any of the other 12 apostles right up to the last chapter of Acts (Act 28:9), and then he was no longer able to heal. When, at what occasion, did Paul lose his power to heal?20When did both Jew and Gentile cease to be blessed through faithful Abraham, and begin to be blessed through Christ only? Today, the church which is His Body, is blessed with all Spiritual Blessings in heavenly places in Christ, not in Abraham. When did the change occur?21There was a time when the great tribulation and the kingdom of God was at hand. And the day came when they were no longer at hand. When did these things cease to be at hand?AND THUS we come to an end of the questions questions designed for the workman who needn't be found ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
 
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epouraniois

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If there are no answer attempts within a couple of days, I will provide the answer.
 

writer4hisglory

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Apr 19, 2007
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As far as I see it, most of these questions cannot be answered simply because the Bible does not provide an answer to them. The only reason I can think of for this is that it was not important enough, or for us to have these answers. My question: What is up with all of these questions. Granted, I am the new guy, but I am not new to the Faith... is there a reason that you are asking all of these questions, or is it just to try to debunk the Christian Faith? I ask this honestly and with no prejudice against epouraniois. Only curious. I rather enjoy apologetic discussions, but truly I must know what the purpose of the discussion is before I seek to engage it. These appear to be nothing more than nonsensical questions that there either is no answer for, or the answer is too trivial to bother with. Just an observation. I hope that I have not offended, please forgive me if I have. Doulos of Christ
 

Bamp;#39;midbar

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My question: What is up with all of these questions.
Epo can answer for himself, of course, but since I spent quite awhile trying to puzzle out the direction of his thoughts, perhaps it will help you along if I say he sounds similar to a dispensationalist that holds to a division at the end of the book of Acts. I'd not previously encountered such a late division. I'm new here too, of course. So Hi there!The questions don't seem to be trivial in that case. They do touch on the understanding of what God is saying and to whom in the NT. If I've got the basic trend in his thoughts incorrect, please let me know, so I can do a better job of understanding.
 

writer4hisglory

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I am dispensationalist myself... I am not aware of a division at the end of the book of Acts, unless that is where we are saying that the Church began...
 

Bamp;#39;midbar

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unless that is where we are saying that the Church began...
Um, yes, if I understand him correctly. The view is that around Acts 28:28 you switch over to the Church as the Body of Christ, like described in Ephesians, with Christ as the head, which he (I suspect) means is different from the body in 1Corinthians. But I am having trouble sorting it out. I think he means that some of the Pauline corpus is from the previous dispensation and some is from the current one. He possibly also hints that the message about the current dispensation was not in the OT prophets (hidden).Forgive me if I've got those terms wrong (and correct me).
 
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epouraniois

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You're definitely on the right track, for example, when Paul was teaching the widows not to remarry, the hope in view was Israel's hope. It was an earthly hope. That hope is intimate with THE LORD'S COMING. The hope revealed after Israel took her place amidst the nations does not have that same hope, for the word associated with it are absent in this new calling. It is then revealed that a new hope is come into view, a super-heavenly hope, where the word associated with it's hope and calling is 'appear', or manifest, with Him in the super-heavenlies when HE manifest there. Therefore, when the apostle is shown that the soon coming of the LORD is no longer in view, Paul's teachings change accordingly, and the widows are now free to remarry if they like, to carry on with this new hope in their lives. And the word is no longer to Israel with gentiles hearing also, but to all individuals irregardless of nation state.But, Dispensationalist aye?WellI had to look that one up. While I may have certain attributes as concerning method of study, I have not been studying very long and therefore cannot not bring many secular or extra Biblical consideration to bear. AND, While I am certainly familiar with the word as it occurs Biblically, what I found when looking looking up it's meaning, as in most earthly distinctions, here too, there doesn't seem to be concert amongst the ranks of those taking upon themselves the Label of Dispensationalist.It may therefore be well and good to review the Biblical perspective and usage of this word then, that we may come to the acknowledgment of HIM.The Word dispensation is the translation of the Greek oikonomia. The Greek oikonomia is made up of the word oikos "house" and nemo "to administer", "to deal out", "to distribute". The word oikonomia is employed by Plato for the management of a household, and oikonomia and oikonomos and oikonomeo are found in the LXX. In Isaiah 22:19,21 where the A.V. reads "station", "government", the LXX reads oikonomia "stewardship." Oikonomos translates the Hebrew Al ha Beth "over the house" in 1 Kings 4:6, 16:9, 18:3 and in four other places.Concordance of the three words that are found in the Greek N.T. ~OikonomeoLuke 16:2. Thou mayest be no longer steward.Oikonomia (R.V.)Luke 16:2. Give an account of thy stewardship3. Taketh away from me the stewardship4. When I am put out of the stewardship.1 Cor. 9:17 A dispensation (of the gospel).Eph. 1:10. That in the dispensation of the fulness.3:2. The dispensation of the grace of God.3:9. The dispensation of the mystery (R.V.).Col. 1:25. According to the dispensation of God.1 Tim. 1:4. A dispensation of God which is in faith (R.V.). OikonomosLuke 12:42. That faithful and wise steward.Luke 16:1. Rich man, which had a steward.3. The steward said within himself.8. Commended the unjust steward.Rom. 16:23. Erastus the chamberlain of the city.1 Cor. 4:1. Steward of the mysteries of God.2. It is required in stewards . . . found faithful.Gal. 4:2. Is under tutors and governors.Tit. 1:7. Blameless, as the steward of God.1 Pet. 4:10. Good stewards of the manifold grace of God."The Greek word rendered dispensation is oikonomia and refers to the act of administering. By the figure Metonymy, the act of administering is transferred to the time during which that administering is carried on" (How to Enjoy the Bible, Dr. E. W. Bullinger).From the Greek, the root and it's progression:* oikos, a house, a dwelling, with special reference to the inmates, the house.* oikia, a home, a dwelling, as distinct from the inmates and from all property left at a person' s death.* Oikiakos, "household", two occurrences (Matt. 10:25,36).* Oiketes, four occurrences. A domestic servant. Translated "household servant" once (Acts 10:7) and "servant" three times (Luke 16:13, Rom. 14:4, 1 Pet. 2:18), never used without reference in the context to a master.* Oikeo, to dwell, to inhabit. The word occurs nine times, and is translated "dweIl" throughout (Rom. 7:17,18,20, 8:9,11, 1 Cor. 3:16, 7:12,13, 1 Tim. 6:16).* Oikeios, three occurrences, once "one's own house" (1 Tim. 5:8), and twice "household" (Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19).* Oikema, one reference "prison" (Acts 12:7).* Oiketerion, two occurrences, "habitation" (Jude 6); "house" (2 Cor. 5:2). The fact that this word is used of the resurrection body, and of the abode of the angels which fell, and which habitation they left raises questions of extreme importance, which should be pondered. * Oikodespoteo, "guide the house" (1 Tim. 5:14).* Oikodespotes, twelve occurrences, translated "goodman" once (Luke 22:11), "good man of the house" four times (Matt. 20:11, 24:43, Mark 14:14, Luke 12:39), "householder" four times (Matt. 13:27,52,20:1,21 :33), "master of the house" three times (Matt. 10:25, Luke 13:25, 14:21). It will be observed that the "despotic" idea attaching to the word "despot" is not incipient but is a sad comment on human nature which cannot long be entrusted with absolute control. The Lord is and will be the only true Despot (2 Tim. 2:21).* Oikodome, "building", occurs seventeen times, translated "building" six times, "edification" four times, "edifying" six times, "edify" once. Literal "buildings" are in the gospels, "edification" and "edifying" in the epistles, and once "ye are God's building" in 1 Corinthians 3:9.* Oikodomeo, "to build", occurs thirty-nine times, translated "build" twenty-four times, "build up" once, "edify" seven times, "embolden" once, "builder" five times, "be in building" once.* Oikodomia occurs once, translated "edifying".* Oikonomeo occurs once, translated "be steward".* Oikonomia occurs seven times, translated "dispensation" four times, "stewardship" three times.* Oikonomos occurs ten times, translated "chamberlain" once, "governor" once, "steward" eight times.* Oikoumene occurs fifteen times, translated "earth" once, "world" fourteen times.* Oikouros occurs once, translated "keeper at home".* Anoikodomeo occurs twice, translated "build again".* Enoikeo occurs five times, translated "dwell".* Egkatoikeo occurs once, translated "dwell among".* Epoikodomeo occurs eight times, translated "build thereon" once, "build thereupon" twice, "build up" once, "build up on" once, "build upon" twice.* Katoikeo occurs forty-eight times, translated "dwell" thirty-five times, "dwell at" four times, "dwell in" four times, "dweller at", "dweller in", "inhabitant", "inhabiter", "inhabiter of", once each.* Katoikesis occurs once, translated "dwelling".* Katoiketerion occurs twice, translated "habitation".* Katoikia occurs once, translated "habitation".* Metoikesia occurs four times, translated "carry away" three times, "brought" once.* Metoikizo occurs twice, translated "remove" once, "carry away" once.* Perioikeo occurs once, translated "dwell round about". Perioikos occurs once, translated "neighbour".* Paroikeo occurs twice, translated "be a stranger" once, "sojourn" once.* Paroikia occurs twice, translated "sojourning here" once, "dwell as strangers" once.* Paroikos occurs three times, translated "foreigner" once, "stranger" twice.* Sunoikeo occurs once, translated "dwell with".* Sunoikodomeo occurs once, translated "build together".The relation of the word "dispensation" to the conception of a house and its management is made evident, while the collection of words found in Ephesians 2: 19-22 is of itself a witness to the value of this recognition.The fact that the House of God at Jerusalem was not destroyed before A.D. 70 has no bearing upon Acts twenty-eight, as it had already been pronounced "desolate" in Matthew 23:38,39.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE DISPENSATION OF THE MYSTERYOscar M. Baker What the dispensation of the mystery might be is still a mystery to many good folks. The following short explanation is not to teach what it is, for that would be useless. We cannot teach that which must come by revelation. In Matt. 13 the Lord was giving out the mysteries of the kingdom. It was for His disciples to know these things. To others in parables, for it was not for them to know. The dispensation of the mystery has to do with a chosen people. They were chosen for this particular place in Christ before the overthrow. These people are known as nations or Gentiles. The reason for this appellation is that there is no difference in flesh in any respect in this dispensation.The dispensation of the mystery has to do with a certain sphere. That sphere is not the earth, but the heavenlies. All other dealings before the revelation of the dispensation of the mystery had to do with an earth program and an earthly people, that is, a people that had the hope of future life on the earth. Also their sphere of service was in connection with the peoples of the earth. Not so with the dispensation of the mystery. The sphere of service is to make known the manifold wisdom of God to principalities and powers of the heavenlies. It is also in that sphere that those who endure will also reign with Him.In the earthly program of Israel, not only was there a division and a difference in the flesh between Israel and the Gentile, but there was also warfare in the flesh and the Canaanite was to be exterminated. Not so with the dispensation of the mystery. There is no warfare or wrestling with flesh and blood. But there is a conflict in the spiritual realm, with spiritual wickedness. No carnal weapons are to be used here.In the earth sphere Christ will be known as King of kings and Lord of lords. He came as the Messiah of Israel. He will be a Savior to the nations of them that are saved in the new earth. But in relation to the dispensation of the mystery, He is the Head of the church which is His body.The dispensation of the mystery has no rituals to perform, Sabbaths to keep, or covenants of promise. It has no fathers. It has no law. It has no prescribed place of worship. Not being an earthly people, there are no divisions in the church which is His body; no one set above or over another, but all on an equality. So it is impossible for it to have an earthly organization. It is an organism.This church has no Head but Christ. It has no authority delegated to it. All authority rests in Him. It cannot open or close its doors to anybody. The members are adopted, placed as sons. No one can join it. No one can boast of his membership for he did nothing to get it. We are His workmanship.Those who are initiates will understand what is set forth here. Those outside will find that the mystery is still a mystery to them. But if they earnestly seek, they shall find!(From Truth For Today, Vol. 13, No. 11, June 1961.)
 

writer4hisglory

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epouraniois, a book that you may be interested in concerning the study of dispensationalism (which will affect to a great extent how you interpret scripture, as to whether or not you are covenant theologian or dispensationalist), would be "There Really Is A Difference", by Renald Showers. Excellent read.
 
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epouraniois

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Thanks for the info. Perhaps I might get to it at some point. I definitely acknowledge that God does have different administrations, called dispensations in the Bible and the stewardship of them are administered by them who He has SENT.
 

writer4hisglory

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There are seven to my knowledge: The Dispensation of untried innocence (before the fall, Adam and Eve); The Dispensation of Conscience (Before the flood); The Dispensation of Human Goverment (From Babel until Abraham); The Dispensation of Promise (Abraham to Moses); The Dispensation of the Law (Moses to Pentacost); The Dispensation of Grace (Pentacost to Millennium); The Dispensation of the Kingdom (Thousand Years of the Kingdom). I would reccommend that you consider the study of Dispensationalism, and whether or not you are a Dispensationalist or not a top priority, as this will greatly affect how you view the word of God.
 
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epouraniois

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C. Welch writes about this, asking ~ How many "dispensations" are indicated in the Scriptures? This is a question that is more easily asked than answered. Every single believer who has been entrusted with stewardship of truth adds to the number of "dispensations", but this aspect of the matter is of course not intended by the question. When we refer to the different "dispensations" we refer to those subdivisions of the ages, in which the revealed will of God, carrying differing obligations, has been made known, and put into force, and in practically every case, the administration or stewardship of these separate and differing administrations, are found to have been entrusted to some chosen servant of the Lord. Moses, for example, is inseparable from the dispensation of law, and "Moses verily was faithful in all his house" (Heb. 3:5).The following subdivision of the Purpose of the Ages does not claim to be perfect or complete. (N.B. Some may overlap, and more than one can run together at the same time) 1. Innocence. Adam unfallen. Paradise enjoyed. 2. Adam to Noah. The Fall to the Flo od. 3. Noah to Babel. N.B.-Some features of Genesis 9 remain unchanged. 4. Babel to Abraham. The Nations and the Nation. 5. Abraham to Egypt The Exodus marks a critical change. 6. Exodus to Sinai. The covenant 430 years after the promise. 7. Sinai to Jericho. The forty years wandering. 8. Jericho to Said. The land entered. 9. David to Christ. Here there are subdivisions gone unnoted. 10. The Earthly Ministry of Christ, His Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection, Ascension. 11. Pentecost to Peter in Prison, Acts 2-11. 12. Paul's First Ministry. The Gentile a wild olive contrary to nature. 13. Paul's Prison Ministry. The dispensation of the grace of God and the dispensation of the Mystery. 14. The Resumption of Pentecost. The seven churches of Rev. 2,3. 15. The Day of the Lord. The Apocalypse (unveiling). 16. The Millennial Kingdom and Revelation 20. 17. The Period between the end of the Millennium and the Great White Throne. 18. The End. The goal reached. God all in all.A word perhaps is called for in connexion with the subheading that suggests that two dispensations may run together. If a dispensation is but another name for an age it is clear that two "ages" cannot run together, but in any one period of time there may be more than one stewardship in exercise. Galatians 2:7-9 makes it clear that Paul had an apostleship and a stewardship that differed from that of Peter, but which was exercised during the self-same period. Or again, Romans 1:18-2:29 and Acts 17:25-28 make it clear that at the same period that Israel had the law, the covenants and the service of the tabernacle with all its rich typical teaching, the nations of the earth were under a dispensation of conscience and the witness of the works of creation.John's Gospel with its insistence upon the Giver of life, is addressed to those who did not know the meaning of the Hebrew word Rabboni and so could not be Jews. It was written after the whole of Paul's ministry had ceased, it can be preached to-day without invading the smaller circle of faith encompassed by the Prison Epistles. It will be seen that a mere list of dispensations cannot set forth the whole truth of the matter, and must be used with discrimination. The office of Dispensational Truth is to decide whether any particular doctrine-be it command, promise, calling or prophecy-does or does not pertain to any particular individual or company, and the recognition of these varying dispensations is therefore essential if we would walk worthy of our calling, and preach the truth for the present time.Before attempting to explain or expound any particular portion of Scripture, the following interrogation, which is but the recognition of the fact that there are a succession of dispensations observable in the Bible, will prove a valuable guide. 1. Is the verse in question in the O.T. or in the N.T.? 2. If in the O.T. is it in the Law, or the prophets, before or after Abraham, before or after David, etc.? 3. If in the N.T. is it in the Gospels, if so which, for each gospel has its own peculiar viewpoint? 4. If in the Acts, is it in the period covered by Pentecost (Acts 2-12) by the early ministry of Paul (Acts 13-19), by the interval (Acts 20-28) or by the Prison Ministry of Paul? 5. Most objections to the teaching of the Mystery, and most of the confusion that is so evident, are the result of continually harking,/back to epistles before Acts 28, as for example, a believer may appear to be following and endorsing your teaching concerning the constitution of the Church of the one Body in Ephesians, only to betray confusion by quoting Galatians 3:27-29.Bless.
 

writer4hisglory

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Dispensation is a period of time when a specific government is put into place, not necessarily a distinction of all things, for then there would be an endless number of dispensations. A dispensation is not necessarily a period of time, but rather a period in which God is governing things in a distinct way. For instance, in the dispensation of the Law (an easy one), God's ruling factor is the law that was given to Israel through Moses. There is always a responsibility in each dispensation, in this case, it was to follow the law, and there is almost always a failure to do so, in this case, to follow the law. And a judgment, in this case, the judgment was the dispersion of Israel throughout the nations. 1) Responsibility (Through additional revelation)2) Usually a Failure 3) Usually a Judgment
 
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epouraniois

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Correct me if I have misunderstood, but I have to disagree that time is a primary consideration for the meaning of the word dispensation, as the Greek, as well as the Biblical usages, indicate that it is an administration of a household by a faithful steward. These may indeed occur in time, but is of itself not a reference to time. A careful review of these nearby preceding posts will make this dear.