Dispensationalism
Many of you will not know what a dispensation is; for others, it is part of your church upbringing.
These definitions are from Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, copyright 1979.
a) The system by which anything is administered; management
b) In theology; the ordering of events by divine authority
There are more definitions, but these should address our needs.
In laymen terms, God has dealt with mankind in different ways at different times. The Garden of Eden was one dispensation; after mankind’s fall into sin, another. The post-flood era was another; after the 10 commandments were given were another, and so on.
Within the Word, the term dispensation is used four times: I Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10, 3:2; Colossians 1:25. In these passages, the term is used in a way consistent with the definition. I have no problem acknowledging true, Biblical dispensation.
This section will basically speak to three kinds of people 1) Those unfamiliar with dispensation 2) The well acquainted believers who identify themselves as “dispensationalists.” 3) Those who accept dispensations when they come from the Word of God itself.
My early Christian life held great enthusiasm for the Lord. In college I fell away, back into sin. The Lord strongly chastened me in bringing me back to Himself. Through His grace alone, I was allowed to live. I repented of my sins, and started the long road back.
Though I did not blame my spiritual fall on others, I realized that something had been missing from all the sermons and teachings my church had presented. I turned fully to the Word of God for answers—the only answers I could count on to be true.
By different circumstances (mostly unpleasant), the Lord enabled me to spend much time in His Word. Those times didn’t always seem blessed, but I know now that God was doing a mighty work within me. Using the sword of His Word, He has given me a gift of discernment to distinguish what is of Him and what is not.
As I had studied and embraced the KJV as the true Word of God, I searched for fellowship among those who were like-minded. My experience here led me to Baptist churches, who enthusiastically agreed with my position (I know that not all Baptists are KJV only). Yet I was to find that even KJV believers can be misled into deception.
When I consider the word dispensation, I have no dispute of its meaning or use in God’s Word. It is, however, a very high end word. It sounds big, and there is no doubt that very educated people use it. That makes it the type of word Satan loves to hide behind, because most of the “sheep” accept it without question. “Certainly my pastor knows more than we do. So if Pastor Hinmytee (pronounced Hī′-n-my-tee) says it, we know it’s true.” So goes a typical reasoning, whether it be voiced, or silently considered.
As I entered these churches, the term “dispensation” was thrown around often. Mostly it has come to mean, “Why I don’t have to obey all of God’s Words!” What I specifically found was that wherever scriptural understanding was difficult, they would say it is for another “dispensation,” and don’t have to obey it. If it called for more faith, it was for a different dispensation. Also, the mere suggestion of possibly falling from grace is scary and repulsive; God wouldn’t want that! Such words must be for another dispensation. These are 2 big examples I have seen.
My experience was: A) The book of Matthew was written for the Jews only. B) The spiritual gifts promised believers in Mark 16:17,18 were only for the first followers (thru Acts). C) Once saved, always saved (eternal security); any scripture saying otherwise doesn’t apply to us today. D) The book of Hebrews not for us today, but likely the millennial reign of Christ; mostly because of the difficult passages regarding losing salvation. E) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. I actually heard a pastor call this scripture a lie, because of dispensations! F) De-emphasizing holiness and purity. Pushing more of a live-as -you -please, you’re still saved gospel. G) Much emphasizing of the millennium dispensation—claiming large portions of scripture are for it alone. H) The Seven Churches in Revelation are really church “ages,” not meant for actual churches.
So I experienced KJV only believing churches, most of which were firmly committed to these dispensations. In all my years of study with prayer, nothing I had found in the Word through the Holy Spirit had even hinted at such things!
It would be terribly conceited & proud to automatically consider myself to be right, and multitudes with opposing views to be wrong (Even though it is supported in Matthew 7:13-15). Self examination in the Lord was required. With much soul searching, I knew that the answer was obvious: if it isn’t in the Word, it is instead a “commandment of men.” This is adding and diminishing to the Word, strictly prohibited in Deuteronomy 4:2! Some very light scripture is used as the basis for this heretical deviation from the truth, which really doesn’t apply; Satan knows God’s Word well, and manipulates us through that knowledge! In the end we sing and dance, praying to the Lord with joy and sincerity. But we do so in vain, for we are now serving another gospel. (Isaiah 1:11-15, Matthew 15:7-9, Galatians 1:6-9)
My research has revealed two of the big culprits in this matter: The Scofield Reference Bible, and the misuse of II Timothy 2:15.
In some circles, The Scofield Reference Bible (first published 1909) is revered as a holy work from God! Joseph M. Canfield has written The Incredible Scofield and His Book (1984); it is most insightful to the man behind the book, and his origins. Really, Scofield’s Bible is a commentary, as Cyrus Scofield explains his personal take on scripture. Generations of church goers have clung to this work, as if from God Himself! They have accepted Scofield’s views as if it is what God really meant! They were not given Scofield’s work in light of Proverbs 30:5,6; and II Peter 1:20 was not to be reviewed:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. II Peter 1:20
These church goers have sinned (perhaps unknowingly) by having an undue respect to persons (James 2:9), forgetting the Lord’s promise for all to know Him, not just select individuals.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their
sin no more. Jeremiah 31:33,34
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. I Corinthians 1:26-29
The Scofield Reference Bible and its views are considered the basis for the dispensational system today. Once you have accepted a teaching as gospel, and raise your children to believe it, becoming de-programmed can be very difficult. Over the years, I have searched the scriptures (Acts 17:11) to research various doctrines taught in different churches. Some doctrines I have been slow to look at, utterly convinced I had the right view already. We must have the humility to receive the Word as God preserved it.
There is one (count them; one) scripture verse (single verse, not passage) I hear used over and over again to justify the “common sense” heresies of man-made dispensation. Remember that is always dangerous to use a single verse as the basis for a doctrine. You also need the rest of the passage it was found in, as well as the rest of the Bible. Remember when the devil was tempting Christ here on earth? Satan used scripture against the Word Himself! But more than one passage applied to the situation. In II Timothy 2:15, dispensationalists have stood on one verse; then added the “commandments of men” not found in the scriptures. Here is that verse:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
“Dividing the Word of truth” is simply an admonition to correctly apply the Word as needed. Truth is never divided from itself! In Matthew 12:25 Jesus directly tells us that a kingdom divided against itself will fall! Example: in Mark 16, Jesus states, “…these signs will follow them that believe;” (miracles follow) the dispensationalists say no: only the first few followers will have that. Jesus would be dividing His kingdom; He would be giving incomplete instructions, which we must figure out for ourselves. Yet it is far worse than that, with this particular issue. Read Mark 3:22-30. Jesus is using His power to cast out devils; one of the powers promised to believers in Mark 16. The religious leaders accused Jesus of using Satan’s power to do this. This is when Christ gave warning about blaspheming the Holy Ghost! I actually know of a dispensationalist who preaches that miracles today are of Satan! Didn’t he read this passage lately? Satan does do miracles, and his power is increasing here at the end of time. Yet the Word shows us that Jesus also works miracles, and gives those powers to His believers. Calling those miracles “works of Satan” is blaspheming the Holy Ghost! By that same Holy Ghost, believers can discern between what is good and what is evil.
Portions of Dispensational Theology have invaded churches throughout America, Canada, and Great Britain; it is a disease that kills like malignant cancer. Repent! Return to the Lord while there is still time.
WARNING: To avoid Satan’s snares and deceptions, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will tend to bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27.
Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist.
Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Word of God section and the section on A Sure Salvation vs. Eternal Security.