Dispensation

Dispensation: Resources meeting needs. Basic Economics. Click here. Sometimes translated as stewardship.

Hi all

Chatting briefly on God's dispensation, Mr Scofield’s famous booklet in 1888 www.biblebelievers.com/scofield/scofield_rightly02.html has always seemed a little bit cute when he says that Ephesians 3:2 declares that there are seven dispensations. The word in Ephesians is not in the plural but in the singular, others have commented on this point too. No plural dispensations are mentioned in scripture, just the one. Paul talks a few times of how the dispensation / management of God's precious gift had been delegated to him as a steward, yes, it was “ouch” if he didn’t preach the gospel. See the Ephesians scripture below.

	If you have heard of the dispensation (weighing out / management) of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
	How that by revelation he made known to me the mystery ; I wrote before in few words,

This reference to God's dispensation of grace (yes, it's singular and permanent) is a reference back to Ephesians 1:9

Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:

That in the dispensation (weighing out / managing) of the fulness (fulfilment) 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:

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will:

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Interestingly, I remember reading how Corrie Ten Boom – Tramp for the Lord – spoke many years ago about the dangers in preaching Mr Scofield’s doctrine about pre-tribulation rapture between dispensation six and dispensation seven, hmm, yes, he wrote it in 1888 before the Russian revolution, Eastern Europe (after WW2) and China under Mao.

Here’s an interesting web page where I found a copy of what I read those many years ago

http://filesfromtoni.blogspot.com/2011/05/corrie-ten-boom-tramp-for-lord.html

corrie

Blessings all

Steve

Stephen Williamson Computing Services Pty Ltd
www.swcs.com.au/aboutus.htm

	Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:
	That in the dispensation (weighing out / managing) of the fulness (fulfilment) 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:
	In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will:
	That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.