Dr. L.S. Chafer said: “Any person is a dispensationalist if …
- He trusts in the blood of Christ, rather than bringing an animal sacrifice (Ex. 30:10; Lev. 16:34 – vs – Col. 1:14; 1 Jn. 1:7; Heb. 9:14).
- He observes the first day of the week rather than the seventh (Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:16 – vs – Ex. 35:2-3; 31:16-17). (Dispensations, pg. 9)
To this I might add: A person is a dispensationalist if …
- He takes the Gospel of Reconciliation to all men without distinction rather than obeying Matthew 10:5-6, Titus 2:11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, – vs – Matthew 10:5-6.
- He goes on his preaching mission taking money for travel expenses, an adequate supply of clothing for the duration and uses transportation other than foot travel, etc., rather than obey Luke 11:3, Matthew 10:9-10, Luke 22:36, 1 Corinthians 9:14, Acts 18:3, – vs – Matthew 10:9-10, Luke 9:3-6.
- He lives under Grace rather than Law.
LAW: God dealt with man: (1) according to man’s work; (2) work for life; (3) gave works for man to do; (4) “do”
GRACE: God dealt with man: (1) according to Christ’s work; (2) work from life; (3) Gave words for man to believe; (4) “done.” (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16; 3:11 – vs – Deut. 6:25; Lk. 3:8, 10, 12, 14.)
- He preaches the, heretofore unprophecied “Gospel of the Grace of God” “according to the revelation of the Mystery” “that bringeth salvation to all men” (without distinction), rather than the “Gospel of the Circumcision” or “Kingdom” which was the subject of prophecy (Acts 20:24; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:1-9; Col. 1:25-26; Titus 2:11; Gal. 2:9a; – vs – Acts 3:21, 24; 2:16; Gal. 2:9b; Mt. 3:2; 24:14). (See further Old Testament notes, page 1343.)
- He acquires wealth and possessions and gives “as the Lord prospers” rather than selling all and having everything in common with other believers (3 Jn. 1:2; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:11 – vs – Lk. 3:11, 12:33; 18:22; Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35).
- He believes that it is the Holy Spirit baptism that places him, as a forgiven sinner, into the Church which is the Body of Christ rather than water baptism for the remission of sins (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12 – vs – Mk. 1:4-5; Lk. 3:3; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 11:37; 13:24; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:20-21).
- He believes his message gives evidence of Divine credibility by the “demonstrations and power of the Spirit” to reveal the “hidden wisdom” of God in a mystery”; for which the Gentiles seek, rather than the Divine credibility of his message confirmed by miracles, signs, and wonders; for which the Jews seek concerning the Kingdom (1 Cor. 1:22b-24; 2:4-10; 13:8; 1 Tim. 5:23; 2 Tim. 4:20 – vs – 1 Cor. 1:22a; Mt. 8:16-17; 12:28, 38-39; 16:1, 4; Mk. 8:11-14; 16:16-20; Lk. 9:3-6; 10:17-20; 11:20; Acts 5:12; 14:3; Heb. 2:3-4; Isa. 35:5-6; Jn. 7:31).
Is one set of Scriptures true and the other false? OR, is there a change in dispensations? Are you a dispensationalist?
If you are not a dispensationalist, pray tell how you explain these Scriptural differences? Even more important, pray tell how will you perform that which you claim you are charged with?
I am a dispensationalist. Now, if you were to ask me if I were an Acts 2 dispensationalist, I would tell you “no.” I would prefer to identify myself as a “mid-Acts“ dispensationalist. By that I mean that I believe that the Church which is the Body of Christ did not begin until after the conversion of the Apostle Paul and after the Apostle Paul had received the revelation of the Mystery.
I am convinced that the Apostle Paul received a revelation that was not given to the other Apostles (Rom. 16:25, 56; Eph. 3:1-9; Col. 1:24-27; Gal. 1:1-2).
I am convinced that God has made known the Mystery (Eph. 1:9).
- I am convinced that God wants everybody to see it (Eph. 3:9).
- I am convinced that a knowledge of the Mystery imparts spiritual encouragement and enlightenment (Col. 2:2).