Dispensations of the Bibleby Melissa J | More from this Blogger 10 Jan 2007 03:38 AM A dispensation in the Bible is a period of time in which God dealt/deals with man a certain way. There are 8 dispensations that are commonly agreed between many Christian scholars. Some scholars who do not believe in a rapture of the Christian church or in a literal millennial reign, may only adhere to 7 dispensations. The 7th and 8th dispensation might be combined as the "Dispensation of Christ's Reign." Under each dispensation there seems to be a means of salvation for that time: 1. Dispensation of Innocence: Began from creation and ended with the fall of man (the first sin) Genesis 2:7-3:7.
2. Dispensation of Conscience: Began from the fall of Adam and Eve to the Great Flood in which Noah and his family were protected by the ark. Genesis 3:8-8:22.
3. Dispensation of Government: Began from the time of the Flood to the time of Abraham. Genesis 9:1-11:32.
4. Dispensation of Promise: Began with Abraham and ended with Moses on Mount Sinai. Genesis 12:1-Exodus 19:25.
5. Dispensation of the Law: Began with Moses and the 10 Commandments given to him by God on Mount Sinai and ended with the time of Christ. Exodus 20:1-Acts 2:4.
6. Dispensation of Grace: Began with the death of Christ and continues the day this is written. It is said to end either with the rapture, or the reign of Christ. Acts 4:2-Revelation 20:3.
7. Dispensation of Tribulation: Will begin with the opening of the first seal and end upon the millennial reign. Revelation 6:1-20:3.
8. Dispensation of the Millennial Reign: Will begin with the millennial reign and end with Judgment to eternity. Revelation 20:4-20:6.
Those who claim to be dispensationalists, or those who agree with the dispensations laid out, may see several elements within each dispensation of time. These include: God testing man, man's failing of the test, God's discipline, His new instructions and some sort of life changing outcome. Relevantchristian tags User Comments Singsforhim (10) 07 Nov 2008 09:23 PMHi MJ, I was surfing for info on this topic and found your entry very helpful...Actually I am preparing for a message this Sunday on when the last days began and wanted to use the dispensation charts to set the stage for this period called the last days or last time..My text will be found in Hebrews 1:1-2. Other references are Acts 2.17, 2 Ti 3, and 2 Peter 3.3. I will focus mainly on the characteristics of it...mainly apostasy, and deception.. Great info! Thanks! AndrewW (6) 18 Feb 2009 08:57 AMI'm not so sure of your comments on the way salvation is obtained in the different dispenstions, evidently Abraham was justified by faith, Noah was an heir to the righteousness which is by faith - faith in God needed to be exercised in the different era's - it is misunderstanding of this that has led to confusion in dispensational truth. I myself am a "dispensationalist". These were periods of time underwhich man was tested in various ways. Again some of the particulars as to the dispensations outlined are debatable.  Melissa J (13710) 28 Apr 2009 03:57 PMThanks for the feedback. This was written years ago and since I've studied more of the old testiment. Passions (5) 01 Jul 2009 04:42 AMThere are only 7 depensations...do not miss lead people... Promise and Law are combined. Go back and study and read everything again. Community Tags dispensation, dispensationalists, grace, innocence, law Discuss this article
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