Part 6 of a Study of the Seven Dispensations
We live today in the exciting culminating age of the “Dispensation of Grace.”
I. “Grace” defined
Grace is the unmerited love of God, given freely for eternity to His creation, both human and spirit beings who are capable of moral responsibility and God-consciousness. Grace encompasses the manifold and myriad blessings and benefits of God throughout all eternity (John 1:14-17; 3:16; Romans 3:24; 5:17-21; 11:5-6; II Corinthians. 9:8; Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:5-8, James. 4:6; I Peter 5:5). Perhaps the most conclusive verse is, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8).
Grace is the unmerited love of God, given freely for eternity to His creation, both human and spirit beings who are capable of moral responsibility and God-consciousness.
II. The Benefits of Grace
All that we know of God we derive from the benefits of His grace, which are equally given to every living creature and to His entire creation. His gifts and His judgments reflect His greatness. The creature and the creation being entirely dependent upon Him, He is the supreme source of all, with nothing being dependent upon the works of man; these benefits are received by faith, in humiliation, by free moral agents who have come to the realization that God is the Creator and the author of everything (John 3:16; Romans 3:24-31; 4:1- 4,16; 5:2, 15-21; 6:14,15; 8:32; 11:6; II Corinthians 8:9; 9:8; Galatians 2:16; 3:1-12; Ephesians 1:6-7; 2:5-9; I Peter 5:5; II Peter 1:3-4).
Ill. The Duration of Grace
God’s grace is from eternity to eternity. There has never been a time when the grace of God has not been in existence. Scripture tells us that it was the “fullness” of grace that Jesus brought to earth at His birth (John 1:14-17), and to deny that there was grace upon the earth prior to His birth would be to preach a false doctrine.
God’s grace is from eternity to eternity.
God has always been loving and merciful to His creation, bestowing His gifts in every generation, and His judgments have always been given without rancor. His gifts are many and diverse. In different ages, His gifts have met the needs of those ages. Old Testament grace under the old covenant is only now under the new covenant that we have the full measure of grace in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament people had the promise of Christ, people of the New Testament have the fulfillment of Christ.
Man himself has not changed from Adam to the present day. He accepts God’s grace and is repentant, or he rejects the gift and remains unrepentant and damned. God bestows His unmerited favors toward man to bring him to repentance (Mathew 5:41-48; Acts 17:28; Romans 2:4-6; James 1:17).
When considering that man is not justified by works or by the law, one can only conclude that justification must come by grace through faith (See Romans 4:1-26; Galatians 2:15-19; 3:1-18; Hebrews 11). These spiritual blessings have been available to man from the beginning of creation.
That the Holy Spirit was active in the lives of the Old Testament saints, who received Him by faith, is evident in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Judges, I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, and Chronicles and especially in Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Reference to His work during the Old Testament can also be found in Matthew, Luke, Acts, I Timothy, Hebrew, and 2 Peter.
There have been some people born filled with the Spirit, such as John the Baptist, who was “filled” with the Holy Spirit from birth. Pentecost brought the church the “fulness” and “power” of the Holy Spirit. The church Jesus had already instituted was endued with power on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:8).
Since none of these people are said to have worked for the gift of the Holy Spirit, we must conclude then that the gift of the Holy Spirit must have been received by grace (Matthew 3:11; John 1:31-34; 7:38-39; Acts 1:4-5; 2:1- 21,33,38-39; 8:5-25; 9:1-7; 10:44-48; 11:15-16; 19:1-7).
The Holy Spirit can be, and was, received ”by measure” and “without measure,” according to Scripture, the difference being that all believers receive the Spirit at conversion, John 3:5, and then God would empower them by the Holy Spirit (Numbers 11:16-17; II Kings 2:9; Luke 1:17; John 3:34; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 1:19; 1 John 4:13; John 3:3-8; Romans 5:1; 8:1-17; I Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:11; 12:3-13; II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 2:18; 4:4; Titus 3:5; I John 4:13; Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8-15; 8:1-21).
IV. The length of the Dispensation of Grace
We date the age in which we live from Calvary to the Millennium. This age will continue until Christ comes back with the saints to set up His literal kingdom on the earth for the purpose of putting down all rebellion (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 19:11-21).
It appears that this age is now coming to a conclusion, considering the fulfillment of prophecy and the signs of the coming of Christ, which we see daily.
It appears that this age is now coming to a conclusion, considering the fulfillment of prophecy and the signs of the coming of Christ, which we see daily.
We cannot expect the age itself to end, however, until after the Antichrist has been revealed (Daniel 9:27). There is, furthermore, the fact that the Roman Empire is to be revived and shall exist in the form of 10 separate kingdoms before the Antichrist can possibly be revealed. This is proved by Daniel 7:24, “Another shall rise after him, “and not before then. If we can judge from the present trend of things which are happening on the European Continent, it will not be long before the revised Roman Empire could be a reality; then will come the rise of the Antichrist and the seven years before the end of the age. We should always keep in mind that the coming of Christ is imminent.
V. The Favorable Beginning of the Dispensation of Grace
When one considers that it was Christ Himself who began the Dispensation of Grace with His earthly ministry, there was the devil while manifesting His power. It was Christ who established the church and who sent the Holy Spirit to carry on His work (Matthew 8:1-17; 9:1-38; 16:10; 20:19-20; John 14:14; 15:1-6, Acts 1:1-8; 2:1-4; 1 John 3:1-10).
Man now has the grace of God in its “fullness.” Every need of man from his body to his soul and spirit is provided for (John 1:16). Man can come directly to God in the Holy of Holies and receive His grace (Hebrews 4:16)
Man now has the grace of God in its “fullness.”
VI. The Beneficiaries of Grace
John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Belief, therefore, is inherent in the dispensing of the spiritual blessings of the dispensation. The gift of grace is free to all, but only those who, through faith, believe have the spiritual gift. The physical gifts are for all:” … for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45b). “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Now saved by the gift, the child of God remains obedient to the teachings of the gospel by filling himself with the Scripture and walking with Christ (Colossians 2:1-7). “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus, so walk ye in him.”
All true believers are in the Kingdom of God and the family of God by virtue of the new birth.
VII. The Purpose of the Dispensation of Grace
God, of course, is aware that all people will not accept His grace and will not be saved, even though it is His will to save all that will believe (see I Corinthians 12:12- 31; Ephesians 2:14-15; 4:7-16; I Timothy 2:4; II Peter 3:9). His purpose is to call out a people unto Himself. This is the group of baptized believers who make up His church, which is “built upon the foundation of the apostles, and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone …” (Ephesians 2:19-22). Christ Himself will come again at the end of the age to establish His kingdom over Israel and the nations forever (Zechariah 14:1-21; Daniel 2:44:44-45; 7:13-14, 18, 27; Isaiah 63:1-8; Jude 14; Revelation 11:15; 19:11-21; 20:1-15; Revelation 21:1-22:5).
The majority of people will not be saved during this age, nor during the tribulation. “And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thessalonians 1:11-12).
VIII. The Means God Uses to Accomplish His Purpose
Through the local church, God calls out His people to preach and teach His word unto salvation. Pastors, evangelists, deacons, teachers, and the laity are called to serve in His church to share the good news of the gospel, which is salvation through the work of Jesus Christ, His Son, upon the cross (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 1:17-25; 12:1-31; II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:7-11). He also uses the ministry of the angels and the Holy Spirit for His work (John 14:12-17, 26; 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 10:38; I Corinthians 12-14; Hebrews 1:14).
IX. The Failure of Man in the Dispensation of Grace
In the beginning, Israel failed in its work, and God gave the work to His local church, which incidentally was not an afterthought of God. History proves that in all ages, people have failed Him. There has never been an age in which all men have served God. Israel failed God, the early church failed Him, and in some areas, we, the people of this day, are still failing Him. There have been many men throughout the ages who have served God, but the majority have served mammon. In the Millennium, the knowledge of the Lord will cover the entire earth (Isaiah 11:19).
God provided for redemption through the blood of Christ. Any other belief is anti-scriptural.
X. Judgement and the End of the Dispensation of Grace
Scripture is explicit on the end times when God will pour out his wrath upon the earth. Refer to Jeremiah 30:6-9; Daniel 7:21-27; 8:15-25; 11:36-45; 12:1-13; Matthew 24:15-31; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:1-12; Revelation 6:1-19:21. The Millennium will be ushered in because of the failure of men to love the truth. God will let the devil rule and let men bring upon themselves their own destruction.
XI. Redemption at the End of the Age
God provided for redemption through the blood of Christ. Any other belief is anti-scriptural. In the Old Testament, it was through faith that God provided, and in the New Testament age, it is through faith that God provided. The tribulation will not cleanse people. Only the blood of the Lamb of God can provide redemption. The Holy Spirit will be active during the tribulation, and Christ will come with power and redeem His people from the bondage of the devil (see Joel 3; Zechariah 14; Matthew 24:29-31; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:7-12; Revelation 17:13; 19:11-21). So not only did God provide redemption unto the end of the age, but also in the tribulation through the blood of Christ.
The Amazing Grace we sing about is very precious to all who are born again … “Tis grace hath bro’t us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.” What an opportunity today to receive Christ as our personal Savior and then serve Him as Lord and Master. Let us enjoy to the fullest this Dispensation of Grace.
Tis grace hath bro’t us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.
Jimmy G. Tharpe founded the Baptist Christian Schools (now Louisiana Baptist University) and pastored the Baptist Tabernacle of Shreveport, Louisiana, for 47 years. He held a Th.B. from Louisiana Missionary Baptist Institute and Seminary, a B.A. and M.A. from Trinity College, a Ph.D. from National University, and ten honorary degrees.
Originally published in the Baptist Bible Tribune, December 1991
Click here to read the Introduction to the Series.
Click here to read The Dispensation of Innocence.
Click here to read The Dispensation of Conscience.
Click here to read The Dispensation of Huma Government.
Click here to read The Dispensation of Promise.
Click here to read The Dispensation of Law.
I have very enjoyed this series of articles, thank you!