What part(s) of the Bible are written to us for today?

Paul has been given a very special place in our age. He has been chosen by God as the Apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). God gave to him the distinct message of the Gospel [good news] of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24), and the Revelation of the Mystery (Romans 6:25; Ephesians 3:3) for the Church, the Body of Christ (Colossians 2:18) in the Dispensation of Grace (Ephesians 3:2; Colossians 1:25).

Because Paul is God’s spokesman for us today, we are to faithfully study (II Timothy 2:15) his teaching when considering the application of any doctrine.

---

Quoted:
The Dispensations, in General-
KEY VERSE: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth,” – 2 Timothy 2:15.

WHAT TO TO? Study. WHY STUDY? To show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. HOW STUDY? By rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

DEFINITION: A Dispensation (or division of Scripture) is God making known (dispensing) what His will is for a particular, specific period of time, that is, God makes some offer to certain people. The test is do the people accept or reject that offer or revelation of His will. (See Scofield Reference Bible, Pg 5, old edition.)

You are a Dispensationalist if you believe salvation is by grace completely apart from any works; If you believe the Nation Israel did not accept their Messiah; If you believe salvation is offered to Gentiles and Jews; if you believe it is all right to have some coins in your pocket, an extra pair of shoes, and another garment; and if you believe each man is to provide for his own household, Instead of “all things common.” Once these points are established in the mind, there are many fine details that, when thought upon, fall into their proper place to the clarifying of the mind and satisfying of the soul and the banishment of confusion and uncertainty-and also to the giving of certainty of purpose and actions.

A knowledge of the Dispensations: (1) Saves from the feeling that Scripture contradicts itself-many confusing passages will become clear to you. (2) Enables you to be able to properly and correctly apply Scripture.

1. Helps to give a grasp of the message for this Dispensation of Grace.
2. Helps you to realize what the Lord’s purpose is for this Dispensation of Grace. (5) Knowing His purpose you can live and serve according to His purpose. (6) Guards you from doctrinal errors: for example, errors regarding healings, Israel, disarming (turn swords into plowshares, when does that apply? what dispensation?). (7) Shows where we are in the history of the world. (8) Guards you from fears, false hopes, and hopelessness.

Dispensation 1 began with Adam and the responsibility was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve disobeyed and the judgment was the expulsion from the garden of Eden.

Dispensation 2 began outside the garden. They were to bring an offering for sin. The failure eventually was world-wide corruption necessitating the universal flood.

Dispensation 3 began with Noah and his family on the cleansed earth.

The responsibility was to replenish the earth. Instead the people tried to build a tower to Heaven. The judgment: God confused their tongues and scattered the people.

Dispensation 4 began with Abraham who was promised that from him would come a nation. They were to keep separate from idol worshipers But all the family went down to Egypt. The judgment was slavery.

Dispensation 5 was LAW to the Israel nation.

Dispensation 6 is the Dispensation of Grace. This is the dispensation in which we live.

Dispensation 7 is the Millennium.

Notice what God dispensed in each dispensation; what was the revelation of His will-it was something different in each dispensation.

Yet all of this wondrous standing, given to us in the riches and glory of His grace, is made of none effect, and is utterly lost to those who force themselves back into a position which obtained in a Dispensation which has passed away.