Why must we separate the Bible into dispensations?

It is the Holy Spirit that teaches, not man!!! It is the Holy Spirit that reveals truth and insights into God’s Word, not man!!! What I can do via posts like these is to sow seeds that you can investigate and allow the Spirit to bring you to a fuller knowledge. We all know in part, so we can learn from each other, not under compulsion or coercion, but rather in love and respect for God’s Word and by the only teacher of it, the Holy Spirit.

So, let me drop off a few seeds for you to consider and pray about in regard to dispensations. This is certainly not all the Bible mentions about it, but it is enough to prove a point that there is something here of note that one cannot dismiss.

Seed #1: God separated out Israel for a specific purpose and His relationship with Israel is different compared to ALL other nations.

Numbers 23:9 …lo, the people [Israel] shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

Exo.19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Seed #2: God has two parts to His redemption plan: (1) Prophecy and (2) Mystery

Prophecy (relates to Israel only)

Luke 1:67-71 …as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, …

Acts 3:19-25 …which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Mystery (revealed to the Body of Christ (comprised of ALL nations))

Romans 16:25-26 …according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest,

Colossians 1:25-27 …even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Can you see the difference in the language and the phrases. Something spoken out is not a 'secret' or mystery! On the other hand, we have a mystery, something secret that was kept from the understanding of man since the world began, but now, at the time of Paul, was suddenly revealed to humanity. The one is diametrically opposed to the other! The only explanation is a change in administration/dispensation.

Seed #3: Law vs. Grace

These passages were spoken during the prophetic period (under law) in our timeline.

Deuteronomy 27:26; Exodus 21:1; Joshua 1:8

These passages were written by Paul during the mystery period (under grace) in our timeline.

Romans 6:14; Galatians 2:16,19; Romans 7:4

Seed #4: Jesus (and the 12 Apostles) ministered ONLY to Israel under the Law dispensation. Paul was chosen by the Lord to minister to Gentiles in the grace dispensation.

Matt.5:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matt.15:24 But Jesus answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. … 26 But Jesus answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's [Israel’s] bread, and to cast it to dogs [Gentiles].

Galatians 4:4–5 to redeem [save] those who were under the law [Israel]

Yet, because Israel rejected Christ, God blinded them and used Paul to reach the Gentiles. These scriptures written by Paul now include all people in God’s redemption under the grace dispensation, without using Israel as the instrument of salvation.

Ephesians 2:11-13; Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28

There are many more distinctions in scripture to prove that God is not using Israel today to reach and save the world. Israel was blinded and his grace went out to the world through Paul’s gospel and doctrine.

The point is that we cannot mix these two parts of God’s redemption plan. They are unique and distinct, to the point that they appear to contradict each other. However, if you see the parts as distinct, they fit together and complement each other.

Seed #5: A few additional scriptures (from myriads) to showing distinction in the two parts of God’s redemption plan.

• Do we need works for righteousness? – James 2:24 & Titus 3:5
• Is forgiveness conditional or not? – Mat 6:14-15 & Eph 4:32
• Does the gospel include water baptism? – 1 Cor 15:1-4 & Mark 1:4
• Are we under the law or not under the law? – Mat 5:19 & Rom 6:14
• Is circumcision necessary? – Gen 17:10-14 & Gal 5:2-6
• Is there a distinction between Jew and Gentile? – Exo.11:7 & Mat 15:26 & Gal 3:28

Hope this sheds light on something you may never yet have seen or been taught. It is crucial to understand that the bible is structured according to dispensations in which God works differently in its parts to accomplish His full measure of redemption to all men. We need to recognize the part that belongs to us and live by these principles.