 |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
Dispensationalism Many of you will not know what a dispensation is; for others, it is part of your church upbringing. These definitions are from Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, copyright 1979. a) The system by which anything is administered; management b) In theology; the ordering of events by divine authority There are more definitions, but these should address our needs. In laymen terms, God has dealt with mankind in different ways at different times. The Garden of Eden was one dispensation. After falling into sin, another. Post-flood was another; after the 10 commandments another, and so on. Within the Word, the term dispensation is used four times: I Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10,3:2; Colossians 1:25. It these passages, the term is used in a way consistent with the definition. I have no problem acknowledging true, Biblical dispensation. This section will basically speak to three kinds of people 1) Those unfamiliar with dispensation 2) The well acquainted believers who identify themselves as “dispensationalists.” 3) Thos who accept dispensations when they come form the Word of God itself. My early Christian life held great enthusiasm for the Lord. In college I fell away, back into sin. I was strongly chastened by the Lord! By His grace I was allowed to live. I repented of my sins, and started the long road back. Though I did not blame my spiritual fall on others, I realized that something had been missing from all the sermons and teachings my church had presented. I turned fully to the Word of God for answers—the only answers I could count on to be true. By different circumstances (mostly unpleasant), the Lord enabled me to spend much time in His Word. Those times didn’t always seem blessed, but I know now that God was doing a mighty work within me. Using the sword of His Word, He has given me a gift of discernment to distinguish what is of Him and what is not. As I had studied and embraced the KJV as the true Word of God, I searched for fellowship among those who were like-minded. My experience here led me to Baptist churches, who enthusiastically agreed with my position (I know not all Baptists are KJV only) Yet I was to find that even KJV believers can be misled into deception. When I consider the word dispensation, I have no dispute of its meaning or use in God’s Word. It is, however, a very high end word. It sounds big, and there is no doubt that very educated people use it. That makes it the type of word Satan loves to hide behind, because most of the “sheep” accept it without question. “Certainly my pastor knows more than we do. So if Pastor Hinmytee (pronounced Hī′-n-my-tee) says it, we know it’s true.” So goes a typical reasoning, whether it be voiced or silently considered. As I entered these churches, the term “dispensation” was thrown around often. Mostly it has come to mean, “why I don’t have to obey all of God’s Words.” What I specifically found was that wherever scriptural understanding was difficult, we say it is for another “dispensation,” and don’t have to obey. If it called for more faith, it was for a different dispensation. God forbid the mere suggestion of possibly falling from grace! That is way too scary—it must be for another dispensation. My experience was: A) Jesus’ sermon on the mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) is not for us, but for the millennium B) The spiritual gifts promised believers in Mark 16:17,18 were only for the first followers (thru Acts) C) Once saved, always saved (eternal security) any scripture saying otherwise doesn’t apply to us today D) Book of Hebrews not for us because of difficult passages E) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8 I actually heard a pastor call this scripture a lie, because of dispensations F) De-emphasizing holiness and purity. Pushing more a “live as you please, you’re still saved.” G) Much emphasizing of the millennium dispensation—claiming large portions of scripture are for it alone. H) The Seven Churches in Revelation are really church “ages.” So I experienced KJV only believing churches, firmly committed to these dispensations. In all my years of study with prayer, nothing I had found in the Word through the Holy Spirit had even hinted at such things. Only a conceited, proud person would consider himself right; when multitudes with opposing views are wrong. (Even though it is supported in Matthew 7:13-15) Self examination in the Lord was required. With much soul searching, I knew that the answer was obvious: if it’s not in the Word, it isn’t a law from God. Adding and diminishing! Some very light scripture is used as the basis for this heretical deviation from the truth. Satan knows God’s Word well, and manipulates us through that knowledge. In the end we sing and dance, praying to the Lord with Joy and sincerity. But we do so in vain, for we are now serving another gospel. (Isaiah 58:1,2 Matthew 15:7-9) My research has revealed two of the big culprits in this matter: The Scofield Reference Bible and II Timothy 2:15. In some circles, The Scofield Reference Bible (first published 1909) is revered as a holy work from God. Joseph M. Canfield has written The Incredible Scofield and His Book (1984); it is most insightful to the man behind the book, and it’s origins. Really Scofield’s Bible is commentary, as Cyrus Scofield explains his take on scripture. Generations of church goers have clung to this work, as if from God Himself! They have accepted Scofield’s views as if it is what God really meant. They were not given Scofield’s work in light of Proverbs 30:5,6. And II Peter 1:20 was not to be reviewed: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. II Peter 1:20 These church goers sinned by having respect to persons (James 2:9), forgetting the Lord’s promise for all to know Him, not just select individuals.
The Scofield Reference Bible and its views are considered the basis for the dispensational system today. Once you have accepted a teaching as gospel, and raise your children to believe it, de-programming can be very difficult. Over the years, I have searched the scriptures (Acts 17:11) to research various doctrines taught in different churches. Some doctrines I have been slow to look at, utterly convinced I had the right view already. We must have the humility to receive the Word as God preserved it. There is one (count them; one) scripture verse (single verse, not passage) I hear it used over and over again to justify the “common sense” heresies of man-made dispensation. Remember that is always dangerous to use a single verse as the basis for a doctrine. You also need the rest of the passage it was found in, as well as the rest of the Bible. Remember the devil tempting Christ here on earth. Satan used scripture against the Word Himself! But more than one passage applied to the situation. In II Timothy 2:15, dispensationalists have stood on one verse; then added “commandments of men” not found is scripture. Here is that verse:
“Dividing the Word of truth” is simply an admonition to correctly apply the Word as needed. Truth is never divided from itself! In Matthew 12:25 Jesus directly tells us that a kingdom divided against itself will fall! Example: in Mark 16, Jesus states, “…these signs will follow them that believe;” (miracles follow) The dispensationalists say no: only the first few followers will have that. Jesus would be dividing His kingdom; giving incomplete instructions that we had to figure out on our own. Worse than that, with this particular issue. Read Mark 3:22-30. Jesus is using His power to cast out devils; one of the powers promised to believers in Mark 16. The religious leaders accused Jesus of using Satan’s power to do this. This is when Christ gave warning about blaspheming the Holy Ghost. I actually know of a dispensationalist who preaches that miracles today are of Satan! Didn’t he read this passage lately? Satan does do miracles, and his power is increasing here at the end of time. Yet the Word shows us that Jesus also works miracles, and gives those powers to His believers. Calling those miracles works of Satan is blaspheming the Holy Ghost! By that same Holy Ghost, believers can discern between what is good and what is evil. Portions of Dispensational Theology have invaded churches throughout America, Canada, and Great Britain; it is a disease that kills like malignant cancer. Repent! Return to the Lord while there is still time.
WARNING: To avoid falling away, return to the pure Word of God; which is the King James Bible. Revised translations are not small word alterations meant to bring clarity! Major doctrinal changes have occurred, which will bring doubt and destroy your faith. To follow these new “versions” of the truth, is to build your spiritual house upon sand, and become as the ones reflected in Matthew 7:21-23. Please use this entire passage, Matthew 7:21-27. Satan means to deceive you into sincerely following his alternate “truth.” You are really being set up to fall, and serve the antichrist. Pray and seek God diligently in this matter; for time is short. See also our Bible Version section and the section on Eternal Security. With Charity from Christ, Andy
 |
|||||
