Dispensationalism

The word dispensation means – Economy or House rule. It refers to the administration of God at various times in which God holds men responsible to the revelation of himself. Sometimes these dispensations are fixed time periods however the emphasis is not on time but responsibility.

The Dispensation of Innocence.
This administration is a short period when Adam and Eve are in the Garden of Eden and know nothing of sin experimentally. They live according to one law the Revelation of God Adam.

The Dispensation of Conscience.
This administration began at the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden. This administration still continues today in the lives of those who live as outlaws to the rules of society. Rather than obeying law they live only according their own conscience. The Revelation of God is the conscience in all men.

The Dispensation of Government.
After the Flood God ordains that, “If a man sheds blood then by man shall his blood be shed”. This is the start of civilisation and human government. This administration continues today in the lives of those who submit to the laws of society. The Revelation of God is found in the laws of civil authorities raised up by God to administer on his behalf.

The Dispensation of Promise.
This administration is based on the call of Abraham and continued until the Exodus from Egypt. The Revelation of God is to Abraham – Promises of Blessing.

The Dispensation of Law.
This administration was based on the giving of the Law to Israel. Those who are circumscised find that God expects obedience to the Mosaic law. This administration for the Jews ran alongside conscience and human government for Gentiles.

The Dispensation of Grace.
This administration of God is based completely on the Grace of God. It is characterised by Faith in Christs atoning work. God gives his blessing to those who hear the Gospel and trust in Christ. It is not according to works but a gift of Grace. It began after the day of Pentecost and will end at the rapture, when all the Church is caught up to meet Christ in the air.

The Dispensation of Tribulation.
This administration will last for a little less than 7 years. It is effectly the end of the Dispensation of Law and the last week of the times of the Gentiles. It will be a time of Trouble for Israel in which the Anti-Christ opposes Israel. Christ will return at the end to judge the living nations according to law.

The Dispensation of the Millennium Reign of Christ.
This administration is a period of universal blessing, for 1000 years, as Christ sits on the throne of his father David. The Revelation of God is found in the Law that Christ will personally administer from Jerusalem.

Much of the confusion relating to dispensations is the fact that some dispensations fall betwen fixed periods of time, however the period of time is not the crucial point, it is the administration of God which comes to man in various ways that is the focus of attension. The other point is that the responsibility of men is according to the revelation they have recieved. Therefore different men find themselves in various levels of responsibility according to what God has revealed.

If in our reading of scripture we find that God holds men responsible to law and rewards behaviour accordingly then we can bew sure that the administration described is Law. However if we find that the promise of blessing is given as a gift on the basis of faith then we can be sure that the administration being described is Grace.

Steve