Topical Bible: The Gospel is Called the Dispensation of the Grace of God

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Dispensation of the Grace of God" refers to a specific period in biblical history characterized by the revelation and administration of God's grace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This concept is primarily derived from the Apostle Paul's writings, where he emphasizes the unique role of grace in the salvation of humanity during this era.

Biblical Foundation

The phrase "Dispensation of the Grace of God" is explicitly mentioned in Ephesians 3:2, where Paul writes, "Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you" . Here, Paul speaks of a divine stewardship or administration entrusted to him, which involves the proclamation of God's grace to the Gentiles. This dispensation marks a distinct phase in God's redemptive plan, highlighting the transition from the Law to grace.

Characteristics of the Dispensation

1. Revelation of Mystery: The dispensation is marked by the revelation of the "mystery" that was hidden in ages past but is now made known through the apostles and prophets. Ephesians 3:5-6 states, "This mystery was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus" . The inclusion of Gentiles as co-heirs with Israel is a central aspect of this dispensation.

2. Grace Over Law: The dispensation emphasizes grace as the means of salvation, contrasting with the previous dispensation of the Law. Romans 6:14 declares, "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace" . This shift underscores the unmerited favor of God, offered to all through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than adherence to the Mosaic Law.

3. Universal Offer of Salvation: The Gospel of grace is extended to all humanity, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. Titus 2:11 affirms, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men" . This universal offer underscores the inclusive nature of the Gospel during this dispensation.

4. Role of the Church: The Church, as the body of Christ, plays a pivotal role in this dispensation. Ephesians 3:10-11 explains, "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" . The Church is the primary instrument through which God's grace is manifested and proclaimed to the world.

Theological Implications

The Dispensation of the Grace of God highlights the transformative power of grace in the believer's life. It underscores the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work on the cross and the believer's position in Christ, as articulated in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" . This dispensation calls believers to live in the freedom and empowerment of grace, reflecting God's love and mercy to a fallen world.

Conclusion

The Dispensation of the Grace of God represents a pivotal era in God's redemptive history, characterized by the revelation of the mystery of the Gospel, the supremacy of grace over law, and the universal offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. It underscores the Church's role in manifesting God's wisdom and grace to the world, inviting all to partake in the divine promise through faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 3:2
If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... The cause of this dispensation is not to be ascribed to the superior worth of one
nation ... ARTICLE 8. As many as are called by the gospel are unfeignedly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

The Dispensation of the Divine Favours Reconciled with the ...
... his goodness, in regard to the dispensation of light ... of the blessings of the gospel,
or rather ... other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter v the dispensation of.htm

The Gospel Supper
... for his peculiar people, under the Mosaic dispensation; and by ... that were bidden,"
to the professing Jews, called by St ... but to come, or accept of the gospel offer ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the gospel supper.htm

The Word as a Means of Grace
... from them to the end of the Gospel dispensation, He has ... He commissioned His apostles
to preach the same Gospel. ... preaching the Word." The Church called and sent ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii the word as.htm

He Further Proceeds Notably to Interpret the Language of the ...
... because the one is called in the Gospel "true God ... than the Father, because the former
is called "true Light ... and it is secured by the dispensation carried out ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 3 he further proceeds.htm

That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope
... I have thought this Epistle to the Thessalonians might be called the gospel of Christ's ...
second, and, as a representative of the third dispensation, we have ...
/.../moody/that gospel sermon on the blessed hope/that gospel sermon on the.htm

The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases ...
... our heretic's own distinction) I have called the just ... to be carried into effect,
even the gospel and Christ ... as sin had" in His own dispensation [5821] "reigned ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiii the epistle to the.htm

More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... finger, the Israelites, who were under that dispensation, to look ... in the truth: hence
he is called "a teacher ... who witness the truth of the gospel by publishing ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm

The Christian Ministry, and Its Relation to the Christian ...
... widely from the Mosaic theocracy, as a dispensation of the ... the ministers in the
blessings of the gospel, enjoy equal ... the throne of grace, and are called to the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 59 the christian ministry.htm

The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... turn to the first chapter of the gospel by Luke ... by the holy seers was the Christian
dispensation, or the ... that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy." Isa ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /the gospel day seen in.htm