FAQs

In the Bible, “dispensational” refers to the idea that God has worked with humanity in different ways or “dispensations” throughout history. Each dispensation represents a distinct period of time in which God dealt with humanity in a specific way, revealing different aspects of His character and plan for salvation.

The idea of dispensations is often associated with the teachings of premillennialism, which holds that Jesus Christ will return to earth before establishing His millennial kingdom.

Here are some Bible verses that mention the idea of dispensations:

1. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).
2. “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:13).
3. “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:11-13).
4. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
5. “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:9-10).

While John Nelson Darby is often referred to as the father of dispensationalism, it’s important to remember that the concept of dispensations is rooted in the Bible itself. The Bible presents a clear narrative of God’s dealings with humanity through various dispensations or “stewardships” throughout history. In this sense, dispensationalism can be seen as a method of interpreting and organizing the Bible’s teachings about God’s plan for the world.

While Darby played a significant role in popularizing dispensationalism and developing its key doctrines, it would be inaccurate to attribute the entire concept to him. The roots of dispensationalism can be traced back to earlier theologians, as well as the Bible itself. Nonetheless, Darby’s contributions were influential in shaping the development of dispensationalism as a distinct theological framework, and his teachings continue to be studied and debated by scholars and theologians today.

It’s also worth noting that while John Nelson Darby’s contributions to dispensationalism go beyond the mid-Acts view, the mid-Acts perspective does stand on the shoulders of his work. In fact, Darby himself held to many of the key tenets of mid-Acts dispensationalism, including the belief that the present Church age represents a distinct dispensation that was not revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures.

The mid-Acts view builds on Darby’s work by emphasizing the unique role of the Apostle Paul in revealing God’s plan for the Church age, as well as the distinctiveness of Paul’s message and ministry. Proponents of mid-Acts dispensationalism also emphasize the importance of interpreting the Bible literally and harmonizing the teachings of the New Testament with the overall narrative of the Bible.

In this sense, mid-Acts dispensationalism can be seen as a refinement and further development of Darby’s dispensational teachings, rather than a departure from them. While there may be differences of opinion and interpretation among adherents of mid-Acts dispensationalism, the system as a whole can be seen as standing in continuity with the broader tradition of dispensationalism that Darby helped to popularize.

Dispensationalism is not limited to any particular denomination or church. It is a theological framework that has been embraced by Christians across a wide range of traditions, including Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and others. While some denominations may have a greater emphasis on dispensationalism in their teaching and practice, it is not a defining characteristic of any particular denomination.

Dispensationalism holds to several key tenets:

1. The belief in a distinction between Israel and the Church. According to this view, God has different plans and purposes for these two groups.
2. The belief that God has worked in different ways throughout history through distinct periods or “dispensations.” These periods are characterized by different ways of relating to God and different expectations from God.
3. The belief in a pre-millennial return of Jesus Christ. This means that Jesus will return before a literal thousand-year reign on earth.
4. The belief in a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. This means that believers will be taken up to heaven before a period of great tribulation on earth.
5. The belief in a literal interpretation of biblical prophecy. Dispensationalists believe that prophecy should be interpreted literally and that the promises made to Israel will be literally fulfilled.
6. The belief in the centrality of Christ and the gospel. While dispensationalism emphasizes distinct periods of God’s work in history, it ultimately centers on the redemptive work of Christ and the salvation available through faith in him. See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

No. Dispensationalism is a method whereby the body of Christ studies the scriptures with respect to the different dispensations God has administered and or given throughout scripture.

Mid-Acts dispensationalism is a form of biblical studies that recognize the importance of the mystery of Christ revealed to the Apostle Paul as a doctrine specific to the present dispensation church. (Romans 16:25, Colossians 1:25-27, Ephesians 3:2-4).

No. Prophecy is that which can be searched in the scriptures. Paul preached the unsearchable riches of Christ to the gentiles. As it is written, “8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:” Ephesians 3:8-9

Notice how he said, “which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God”, the Mystery was not hid in the scriptures, it was hid in God. A good contrast to this would be Luke 18:31-34. In that passage of scripture we see that while the death, burial and resurrection, was in the scripture for anyone to see or read, it was hid from the twelve.

Nevertheless, Paul says, in Romans 16:25 that the Mystery “was kept secret since the world began”. So, what is the Mystery that Christ revealed to Paul.

1. Ephesians 3:6 – That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
2. Colossians 1:27 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Therefore the mystery revealed to the apostle Paul is twofold.

1. The Body of Christ: Whereby Jews and Gentiles alike are NEW CREATURES (2 Corinthians 5:17) and fellowheirs.
2. Christ in you, the hope of glory.

This is something that cannot be found in prophecy. In addition, to the Mystery there are new doctrines revealed to Paul as a result of the dispensation change. Therefore, while you can find the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ in prophecy, you cannot find what it would accomplish as a result of Israel’s fall; Romans 11:7-11

Lastly, this is why no one else makes mention of the Body of Christ accept the apostle Paul.