DISPENSATIONS: RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD!

THE FAITHFUL BELIEVER'S JOB DESCRIPTION!

STUDY GOD'S WORD AND APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE!

2 Timothy 2:15 (My Translation) - Study to show yourself pleasing unto God, a servant of the Lord that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

A PERFECT BIBLICAL EXAMPLE!

Ezra 7:10 (My Translation) - For Ezra prepared his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach it in all of Israel.

DISPENSATIONS:  RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF GOD!

The Scriptures, when interpreted in their natural, literal sense, reveal divinely determined dispensations, or rules of life, which define God's will in successive ages.  These dispensations are not ways of salvation, but rather divinely ordered stewardships by which God directs man.

Note carefully that each dispensation ends in man's failure to obey God's will.  After disciplining His children, the Lord gives new instructions to begin a new dispensation.  Examples of this can be seen in His dealing with these individuals, whom, by the Grace of God, were allowed to begin a new age.  Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the Apostles, all lived at the time of a transition.  Adam went from innocence to having a conscience (Genesis 3).  Noah clearly went from the end of one dispensation, to the new beginning of another (Genesis 9).  Abraham was the first of God's chosen people (Genesis 12).  Moses was chosen to give the Law to Israel (Exodus 20).  And the Apostles were chosen to build the Lord's Church (Acts 2).  The last dispensation will be the 1000 year Millennial Kingdom of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus at His Second Coming (Revelation 19)!

THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF BIBLE STUDENTS!

While all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable to us for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), all Scripture does not necessarily apply to our situation.  For instance, God does not want us to take our first born child and offer it on an alter of sacrifice.  God does not want us to build an ark.  God does not want us to till the Garden of Eden.  God does not want us to withhold medical treatment for our child because we have prayed and asked Him to send a prophet or an apostle to heal him (I am not saying that He might not direct you to do this, but that unless He does, don't)!  And finally, in spite of what fanatical false leaders may say, He does not want you to build a colony in a jungle and poison all your followers!

God wants you to study His Word, and when you feel led to do something, even if it is for His glory, stop and test the spirits (1 John 4:1).  We are to be like the Bereans, who, listened to Paul's preaching with open hearts, but still went home and compared what he taught with the Word of God (Acts 17:11).   

REMEMBER:  STUDY, DO, AND SHARE WITH OTHERS!