"That in the dispensation of the fulness 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:" Eph. 1:10
Some teachers use the word dispensation to divide.
Division is not from the Lord. The Messiah has come to gather all into one body.
Eph. 1:10 makes this apparent, all you have to do is read the whole thought.
"For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" Eph. 3:1-6
Eph. 3:2 in its proper context is just as clear, verse 6 standing in stark contrast to any attempt to pry the word out of context and make it a cause for division.
Now I could see where this verse could trip someone up if they only listened to one teacher, and if they did not know that Christ is more properly translated, Messiah, (anointed King of Israel).
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;"
Col. 1:24,25
So the anointed King of Israel, their long awaited Messiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit now has a body on earth, His ekklesia, His gathering, His community to display His love and power for the glory of the Father. There is nothing new about this, Acts 7:38 "This is he, that was in the church (ekklesia) in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him (Moses) in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:" What is new, is now we know the identity of the Messiah and the purpose of the Holy Spirit, and all of it is a work of sacrificial love to gather all into one family under one Father.
Once you see this you cannot un-see it and the false division of a false understanding of the term dispensation fades away. In its place comes the beauty of humility as you are amazed as Paul was at the end of Romans 11 as the plan of God and the wisdom of God is revealed.
"For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He might show mercy to all.
Some teachers use the word dispensation to divide.
Division is not from the Lord. The Messiah has come to gather all into one body.
Eph. 1:10 makes this apparent, all you have to do is read the whole thought.
"For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" Eph. 3:1-6
Eph. 3:2 in its proper context is just as clear, verse 6 standing in stark contrast to any attempt to pry the word out of context and make it a cause for division.
Now I could see where this verse could trip someone up if they only listened to one teacher, and if they did not know that Christ is more properly translated, Messiah, (anointed King of Israel).
"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;"
Col. 1:24,25
So the anointed King of Israel, their long awaited Messiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit now has a body on earth, His ekklesia, His gathering, His community to display His love and power for the glory of the Father. There is nothing new about this, Acts 7:38 "This is he, that was in the church (ekklesia) in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him (Moses) in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:" What is new, is now we know the identity of the Messiah and the purpose of the Holy Spirit, and all of it is a work of sacrificial love to gather all into one family under one Father.
Once you see this you cannot un-see it and the false division of a false understanding of the term dispensation fades away. In its place comes the beauty of humility as you are amazed as Paul was at the end of Romans 11 as the plan of God and the wisdom of God is revealed.
"For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He might show mercy to all.
33 O the depth of the riches,
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments
and how incomprehensible His ways!
34 For “who has known the mind of Adonai,
or who has been His counselor?”
35 Or “who has first given to Him,
that it shall be repaid to him?”[
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments
and how incomprehensible His ways!
34 For “who has known the mind of Adonai,
or who has been His counselor?”
35 Or “who has first given to Him,
that it shall be repaid to him?”[
36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen."
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