The Principles and Dispensations of God Pastor Marvin Duncan

Introduction

Most Bible teachers have seen, to a limited degree, the distinction between Paul's ministry and that of the Twelve Apostles, but have taught at the same time that Paul labored under the so-called "great commission" given to the Twelve Apostles; that the church of this age began at Pentecost with Peter and the eleven; that the "the gospel of the grace of God" was proclaimed before Paul, etc. This failure to grasp fully the distinctive character of Paul's apostleship has contributed much to the confusion that exists among fundamental believer and has left a great deal still to be clarified for those who desire "the full assurance of understanding."

The re-discover of Paul's special program, and the increased emphasis laid in the last few years upon what he calls "MY GOSPEL, EVEN THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY" (Romans 16:25) have provided God's people with the key to many problems which (because they have remained so long unanswer- ed) have caused the great dispensational Bible conferences of a generation ago to all but disappear.

In the study of the dispensations we enjoy true Bible ANALYSIS. We take the Book apart (2 Timothy 2:15), so to speak; not to cast ANY of it aside, but to examine its separate parts and to note the differences (Philippines 1:10). EXCELLENT' in ("APPROVE THINGS THAT ARE this verse means TEST THE THINGS THAT DIFFER).

But we also enjoy true Bible SYNTHESIS in study of the dispensations and see the perfect harmony of the whole Word of God. Many Bible schools advertise courses in Bible synthesis which really amount to nothing more than brief summaries of it's sixty-six books. Any such course should be characterized as SYNOPSIS, not synthesis. Bible synthesis is a systematic study of the PROGRESSIVE UNFOLDING of God's revelation and of THE DEVELOP MENT of His dealings with men as well as of THE UNITY OF HIS PURPOSE in those dealings. It is a study of the dispensations IN THEIR RELATION TO EACH OTHER. Hence no study which denies or ignores the doctrine of dispensations is true Bible synthesis

In our study of the Principles and Dispensations of God, we will not deal with the dispensations consecutively but rather with Dispensationalism in it's relation to God's message and program for today.

RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH ( 2 Timothy 2:15)

Those who seek to teach the Word rightly divided frequently encounter the objection that "ALL (or every) SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRA- TION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE.." (2 Timothy 3:16). It is argued from this passage that it is dishonoring to God to divide the Bible into dispensations and emphasize the differences between them since the Bible is ALL for us, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.

Does this mean, then, that Second Timothy 2:15 and Second Timothy 3:16 contradict each other? Surely they do not. The fact is that, written only a few paragraphs apart, by the same author, to the same person, about the same Book, these two verses COMPLEMENT each other. Second Timothy 2:15 explains HOW God's workmen may get the most out of the Bible, while Second Timothy 3:16 declares that ALL of it was given for the workman's profit. All Scripture is indeed profitable when "RIGHTLY DIVIDED," but when wrongly divided or not divided at all, the truth is changed into a lie and becomes most Unprofitable. Thus, Second Timothy 2:15 is the KEY to Second Timothy 3:16 and to the understanding and enjoyment of the Word of Truth.

One difficulty is that multitudes of Christians shrink from the EFFORT involved in STUDYING the Scriptures with a view to rightly dividing them. And, their spiritual leaders often encourage them in their lethargy.

Some years ago I heard a preacher exclaim: "Some say, This is for the Jew and that is for the Church. This is for us and that is not for us. I take the WHOLE Bible!"

Did he mean that we should NOT distinguish between God's programs for ISRAEL in the Old Testament times and His program for the BODY OF CHRIST today? Certainly not, but it sounded as if this was what he meant. Did he mean that those who do thus divide the Word DO NOT believe the whole Bible? No, but he gave that impression. He discouraged his hears from endeavoring to rightly divide the Word of Truth by implying that those who do so discard parts of the Bible as not for them. And this preacher is representative of a large proportion of the spiritual leaders in the Church today.

Is it an wonder that the Christian masses use the Bible merely for devotional reading and often neglect even that? How can they be expected to have an interest in the STUDY of the Scriptures when their leaders themselves fail to set the example? And one need but look about him to see the delinquency here. Where are the Bible teachers of yesterday? What has happened to the great Bible conferences that were held all over the land not too man years ago? How many pastors TEACH the Word to their congregations? And the missionaries and evangelists; is there not a widespread feeling that they do not need to study the Scriptures too thoroughly since "their business is to win souls?"

As a result the vast majority of believers really UNDERSTAND very little of God's Word. They know the basic facts of salvation but seem quite satisfied to remain ignorant of precious truths which, if they but searched to find them, would make them WORKMEN whom God could approve, not needing to be ashamed of their service for Him.

But rather than STUDY to attain to a bette UNDERSTANDING of the Word and become proficient in its USE, many actually boast that they are satisfied with "the simple things."

And this after all the earnest prayers of Paul that believers might have the spirit of WISDOM and REVELATION in the KNOWLEDGE OF Christ (Ephesians 1:17) that they might KNOW what is theirs in Christ (Ephesians 1:18-23), and COMPREHEND the breath and length and depth and height of it! (Ephesians 3:18). This after all his LABOR and STRIFE and CONFLICT that they might have "THE FULL ASSURANCE OF UNDERSTANDING" (Colossians 1:9). This after his stern rebuke to those carnal babes to whom he could preach no more than Christ CRUCIFIED: whom he had to feed with milk alone because they were not able to digest solid food! ( 1 Corinthians chapters two and three).

Slothful Christians often consider themselves quite spiritual merely because their EMOTIONS are easily aroused. They boast of their contentment with "the simple things" while they should be ashamed of their indifference to the written Word of God. They claim great devotion to God, yet neglect the one great means of knowing Him better. They profess fervent faith in Him, yet scarcely trouble themselves to find out JUST WHAT HE HAS SAID. They do not, like David, mediate upon God's Word day and night nor, like the prophets INQUIRE, AND SEARCH DILIGENTLY (1 Peter 1:11) as to it's true meaning.

The results of this attitude toward the Word of God are appalling, for such may trust Christ for salvation, but beyond this they exercise, in most cases, a blind, superstitious faith that cannot but DIS-honor God. FEELINGS are taken for FACTS and their own WISHES for God's WORD. They go into wrong paths, saying, "But I prayed very earnestly about it and now feel perfectly at peace." They say, "The Lord spoke to me," and refer to some FEELING rather

than to some passage of Scripture consistently applied. Thoughtlessly they say, "If it is in the Bible, I believe it," yet as they read the Bible they take to themselves only what warms their hearts and leave the rest un-applied, not knowing exactly why.

But those who boast of their contentment with "the simple things" and oppose dispensational Bible study on the ground that all the Bible is for us, have certainly missed the fact that a Scripture was given that the MAN of God might be PERFECTLY FITTED AND FULLY EQUIPPED FOR HIS WORK (2 Timothy 3:17).

There is a great difference between the "Child of God " and the MAN of God." How can one who remains an infant in the truth be approved as a WORKMAN for God or as a SOLDIER of Jesus Christ, when the workman God approves must know how to rightly divide the Word of Truth and the soldier He honors must know how to wield the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)?

We can sympathize with those who have BEGUN to study the Bible dispensationally and have found it confusing. The study of almost any subject is confusing at first, but as we preserver we begin to UNDERSTAND and to reap the fruits of our toil. Indeed, to any thoughtful person the Scriptures must continue to be confusing until he learns to rightly divide and so to UNDERSTAND them. And what joy can compare with that of coming into a fuller understanding of God's Word?

Studying the Bible dispensationally may seem confusing at first but actually it dispels confusion, ex plains difficult problems, reconciles seeming contradictions and lends power to the believer's ministry.

If I should step inside a modern U.S. Post Office, all would doubtless seem very confusing to me. But it would be a mistake to suggest piling all the mail neatly in one corner and handing it out promiscuously to all comers as some would do with the Bible. The postal employees must "rightly divide" the mail so that each person receives what is addressed to him. What seems like confusion to the novice is really a simplification of the work to be done in getting each person's private mail to him

It is granted that in the Bible even that which was addressed to those of other dispensations is given to us for our learning and profit, but we must not confuse this with our own private mail or make the mistake of carrying out instructions meant particularly for others.

Thus all the Bible is FOR us, but it is not all addressed TO us or written about us, and if we would really understand and enjoy it; if we would really know how to use it effectively in service for Christ, we must be careful always to note who is addressing whom, about what, and when, and why.

One of the first lessons the Bible student should learn is the difference between the principles and the dispensations of God.

The opponents of dispensationalism have often charged us with teaching that under the Old Testament men were saved by the works of the Law, whereas today they are saved by grace through faith.

This charge is at least misleading, for no thinking dispensationalist would teach that the works of the law IN THEMSELVES could ever help save, anyone.

We understand clearly that "BY THE DEEDS OF THE LAW THERE SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED IN HIS SIGHT; FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN" (Romans 3:20). Nor do we suppose that the works of the CEREMONIAL law had any essential power to save. We have not forgotten that the Scriptures also teach that "IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND OF GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SINS" (Hebrews 10:4)

We have no illusions as to man's utter inability to please God by works, AS SUCH, in any age. Man has always been saved essentially by the grace of God, through faith. There could be no other way to be saved. This is a fixed principle to which Hebrews chapter eleven bears abundant testimony and it should be self-evident to those who accept as fact the; utter depravity of a man and the infinite holiness of God.

But this does not alter the fact that God's dealing with men and the stated terms of acceptance with Him have changed again and again down through the ages and that faith in Him would therefore be expressed in different ways. Hebrews eleven also bears consistent testimony to this fact.

Faith would most assuredly approach God in God's way at any time, and to seek to gain acceptance with Him in any other way would, of course, be UNBELIEF and self-will. Thus, while works never did or could save AS SUCH, they did once serve as EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH.

The Principles of God

A PRINCIPLE, as we have used in the above statements, is a settled rule of morality or conduct. We respect men with principles; men who stand for the right, whatever the cost. God, of course, has the very highest principles and never deviates from them. He always did and always will hate sin. Sin always was and always will be contrary to His holy nature. In no age has this been any less so than in any other age. I like manner, God always did and always will delight in righteousness, mercy, and love. God never has and never will deviate in the slightest degree from these principles.

The PRINCIPLE of law or justice has continued unchanged through the ages. No matter what the dispensation, when wrong is done, God's sense of JUSTICE is offended. This may be simply demonstrated by three Scriptural examples.

CAIN lived BEFORE the dispensation of the law of Moses. Cain murdered his brother, Abel. Was this right or wrong? Did he get into trouble over it? He did, even though the written law had not as yet been given.

DAVID lived UNDER the law of Moses. He also committed murder. Was this right or wrong? Wrong, of course, and he also got into trouble.

YOU and I live AFTER the law, under the dispensation of grace. Suppose we should commit murder, would that be right or wrong? Would we get into trouble WITH GOD over it? Would the fact that Christ bore our sins on Calvary, make murder any more right? Would God look upon it as less sinful because it took place under the dispensation of grace?

You say, in the case of the true believer today the full legal penalty for the sin would still have been borne by Christ and, though he knew it not, David, too, was forgiven on this ground. But does not this very fact that David's sins and ours were PAID FOR, rather than overlooked, PROVE that the principles of law and justice remain fixed?

The principle of grace is equally unchangeable. This may be simply demonstrated by one passage of Scripture: Romans 4:1-6. ABRAHAM lived BEFORE the dispensation of the law. How was he justified? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' (Romans 4:3).

DAVID lived UNDER the law, How was he justified? "DAVID ALSO DESCRIBETH THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE MAN UNTO WHOM GOD IMPUTETH RIGHTEOUSNESS WITHOUT WORKS" (Romans 4:6).

YOU AND I live AFTER the law, under the dispensation of grace. How are we justified? "TO HIM THAT WORKETH NOT, BUT BELIEVETH ON HIM THAT JUSTIFIETH THE UNGODLY, HIS FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNES" (Romans 4:5).

Now in the cases of Abraham and David, works were REQUIRED for salvation whereas in our case, works for salvation are distinctly FORBIDDEN; yet it is clear from the passages above that Abraham, David, and We, are ALL saved ESSENTIALLY by grace through faith and that works, AS SUCH, have, never had any saving value.

The Dispensation of God

While the principles of God have to do with His CHARACTER and His NATURE, the dispensations of God concern His DEALINGS with those under Him, especially with man. Many people have been frightened away from dispensationalism by the length of the word itself, especially since some who seek to rightly divide the Word have been called UNTRA DISPENSATIONALISTS! The root of this long word, however, has a very simple meaning, for the word DISPENSE means simply TO DEAL OUT. The word DISPENSATION, then, means THE ACT OF DISPENSING OR DEALING OUT, or, THAT WHICH IS DISPENSED OR DEALT OUT. There are medical DISPENSARIES, for example, where medicines are DISPENSED to the poor. Sometimes these DISPENSATIONS are conducted on a particular day of each week. Now such a dispensation of medicine may take a full twelve hours each week, but it does not follow from this that a dispensation of medicine is a period of twelve hours. Yet there are some who, when they think of dispensations, can think of nothing but periods of time! Indeed, one of the greatest Bible teachers of the past generation defined a dispensation as follows: "A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God."

This is incorrect, for a dispensation IS NOT a period of time but THE ACT OF DEALING OUR or THAT WHICH IS DEALT OUT. The Bible teacher referred to above undoubtedly meant that a dispensation COVERS a period of time.

The word DISPENSATION is not a mere theological term. It is used many times in the Bible, though not always translated thus. In Ephesians 3:2, Paul writes about "THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD, WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD." Just as the dispensation of the law was committed to Moses (John 1:17) so the dispensation of the Grace of God was committed to Paul.

The basic meaning of the original word for DISPENSATION (Oikonomia) is HOUSE MANAGEMENT, though its usage conforms closely to the English word, dispensation. Sometimes this word is translated STEWARDSHIP in the A.V. Bible. This is interesting because the word STEWARD (Oikonomos), rather than meaning SERVANT, as some suppose means HOUSE MANAGER. The steward was HEAD servant, the one into whose hands the management of the house was committed. He dealt out the money for the household necessities, dispensed the food and clothing to the servants and children, paid the wages, etc. All was entrusted to him to dispense faithfully and wisely. He was the appointed DISPENSER of his Lord's goods and of the business of the household. (Eliezer and Joseph were such stewards -Genesis 15:2; 24:2; and 39:4).

We read in Luke 12:42, "AND THE LORD SAID, WHO THEN IS THAT FAITHFUL AND WISE STEWARD (Oikonomos) WHOM HIS LORD SHALL MAKE RULER OVER HIS HOUSEHOLD, TO GIVE THEM THEIR PORTION OF MEAT IN DUE SEASON?"

In Luke 16:1-2 we have the same idea: "AND HE SAID ALSO UNTO HIS DISCIPLES, THERE WAS A CERTAIN RICH MAN, WHICH HAD A STEWARD; AND THE SAME WAS ACCUSED UNTO HIM THAT HE HAD WASTED HIS GOODS AND HE CALLED HIM, AND SAID UNTO HIM HOW IS IT THAT I HEAR THIS OF THEE? GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THEY STEWARDSHIP; FOR THOU MAYEST BE NO LONGER STEWARD."

In First Corinthians 9:16-17, this same word is again translated DISPENSATION, but once more it conveys the same idea: "FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY OF: FOR NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME; YEA; WOE IS UNTO ME IF I PREACH NOT THE GOSPEL. FOR IF I DO THIS THING WILLINGLY, I HAVE A REWARD; BUT (even) IF AGAINST MY WILL (I must do it, for ) A DISPENSATION OF THE GOSPEL IS COMMITTED TO ME."

Note that in each of these cases the idea of RESPONSIBILITY is involved. It was "A FAITHFUL" and "WISE" steward the Lord sought to set over his household. Necessity, or responsibility, was laid upon Paul because "A DISPENSATION 0F THE GOSPEL" had been committed to him.

One of the clearest passages of all in this connection is found in First Corinthians 4:1-2, where the Apostle Paul says, "LET A MAN SO ACCOUNT OF US AS OF THE MINISTERS (servants) OF CHRIST AND STEWARDS (dispensers) OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD, MOREOVER, IT IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDS THAT A MAN BE FOUND FAITHFUL."

Let us get this meaning of the word DISPENSATION clearly fixed in our minds. When we see that a dispensation involves RESPONSIBILITY rather than merely denoting a period of time, we will, if sincerely desirous to be in the will of God, seek to understand clearly and to carry out faithfully, the dispensation of the grace of God committed to us.

How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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