The Age of Grace, also known as the Church Age or the Age of the Church, is the period of time in human history where God’s grace is freely offered to all people through faith in Jesus Christ. This age began at Pentecost after Jesus’ death and resurrection and will continue until the rapture of the church.
Characteristics of the Age of Grace
Some key characteristics of the Age of Grace include:
- Salvation by grace through faith – Salvation is not earned by good works or the Law, but is a free gift received through trusting in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- The indwelling of the Holy Spirit – All believers are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit when they believe (Ephesians 1:13-14).
- The mystery of the church – Jews and Gentiles are united into one body in Christ (Ephesians 3:1-6).
- The completed canon of Scripture – The Bible is complete with the 27 books of the New Testament (Jude 3).
- Global proclamation of the gospel – Believers are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
- No millennial kingdom on earth – Christ reigns spiritually in the hearts of believers but there is no literal 1,000 year kingdom on earth during this age (Luke 17:20-21).
- Mixture of good and evil – Believers and unbelievers coexist until Christ returns (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).
During the Age of Grace, God relates to humanity through the church, not through the nation of Israel as He did in prior ages. The Mosaic Law has been fulfilled in Christ and believers are under the new covenant of grace. God’s program center is on calling out and building up the church, not national Israel.
Beginning of the Age of Grace
The Age of Grace began at Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers, empowering them for ministry and uniting them into the body of Christ (Acts 2:1-4). Pentecost marked the transition from Israel being God’s chosen people to the church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, being God’s people during this dispensation.
Some key events at the start of the Church Age include:
- Jesus commissioned His disciples to take the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47-49).
- Jesus taught the disciples for 40 days between His resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).
- Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as the 12th apostle (Acts 1:26).
- The Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, empowering believers (Acts 2:1-4).
- Peter preached the first gospel sermon, resulting in 3,000 being saved (Acts 2:14-41).
- The first local church began at Jerusalem (Acts 2:42-47).
This marked the official transition from the Old Testament way of salvation through the Law to the New Testament order of salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ.
Main Divisions of the Age of Grace
The Age of Grace can be divided into three main parts:
Early Church (Acts 2 to 5th Century)
The early church received the completed revelation of God’s Word and established essential doctrines like the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the humanity and sinlessness of Christ, salvation by grace through faith alone, etc. Creeds like the Apostles’ Creed codified orthodox Christian beliefs. Apologists like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus defended the faith and refuted heresies. Key figures like Augustine developed Christian theology and practice. The early church endured periods of intense persecution under the Roman Empire until Christianity was legalized in the 4th century.
Medieval Church (5th Century to 1517)
The church became increasingly organized and institutionalized, culminating in the Roman Catholic Church. The Bishop of Rome claimed authority over all other bishops. Doctrinal errors increased, leading to the need for reform. Key figures like Charlemagne in the West and Orthodox patriarchs in the East influenced this era. Monastic orders like the Benedictines were founded. Scholastic theology developed with figures like Thomas Aquinas. The Crusades attempted to reclaim the Holy Land. Gothic architecture flourished in the great cathedrals.
Reformation & Modern Church (1517 to Rapture)
The Protestant Reformation was led by figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox in reaction to corruption and doctrinal errors in Roman Catholicism. This recovered essential doctrines like salvation by faith alone. Denominations and local church autonomy became the norm. Foreign missions brought the gospel to new continents. Revival movements like the Great Awakening impacted society. Modern apologists continue to defend biblical truth. Mainline denominations have declined as evangelical and Pentecostal movements thrive, especially in the developing world.
Key Developments in the Age of Grace
Some significant historical developments that have occurred during the Church Age include:
- Completion of the New Testament canon – All 27 books were written by the end of the 1st century and recognized by the early church. This established the final divine revelation and authority for Christian faith and practice.
- Ecumenical Councils – Councils like Nicea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451) established orthodox theology against heresies like Arianism, Nestorianism, and Monophysitism.
- Rise of Monasticism – Monks like Benedict founded early monasteries, which became influential centers for theological study, missions, and religious life.
- The Great Schism (1054) – The Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches formally split, dividing Christendom ever since.
- The Crusades (1095-1291) – Military campaigns sought to recapture the Holy Land from Muslim control, authorized by Popes.
- The Black Death (1346-1353) – The bubonic plague killed up to 60% of Europe’s population, sparking social and theological responses.
- The Renaissance (14th to 17th centuries) – The rediscovery of classical learning and humanism brought cultural renewal but theological challenges.
- The Protestant Reformation (1517) – Led by Martin Luther, this broke papal authority and recovered the gospel of justification by faith alone.
- The Counter-Reformation – The Council of Trent (1545-1563) initiated Roman Catholic reforms and responses to Protestantism.
- The Great Awakenings (18th & 19th centuries) – Powerful revivals impacted American colonies and New England, led by preachers like Jonathan Edwards and Charles Finney.
- The Modern Missions Movement – William Carey and the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society (1792) pioneered the modern missionary movement to the world.
- The Rise of Denominations – Protestants formed various denominations with distinctive theology and practices (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, etc.).
- The Pentecostal Movement (early 20th century) – Led by figures like William Seymour, this emphasized baptism of the Spirit, speaking in tongues, faith healing and experiencing spiritual gifts.
Despite ups and downs, the last 2,000 years have seen the gospel taken to the ends of the earth as the church has expanded. At the same time, the church has struggled with divisions, heresies, syncretism, persecution and scandals throughout its history during the Age of Grace.
Key Theological Contributions
Important theological developments and contributions during the Age of Grace include:
- Canonization of Scripture by the early church councils.
- Trinitarian formulations defending Christ’s deity and the personhood of the Holy Spirit.
- Christological formulations affirming Christ’s humanity and sinlessness against docetic and Arian challenges.
- Doctrines of original sin and depravity explaining humanity’s innate sinful condition.
- Justification by faith alone apart from works championed by Augustine and the Reformers.
- Refining attributes of God based on Scripture (aseity, immutability, etc.).
- Creeds summarizing essential doctrines like the Apostles Creed.
- Confessions formulating doctrinal stances of traditions (Westminster, Heidelberg, etc.).
- Writings of Church Fathers like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Augustine.
- Scholastic theology of medieval thinkers like Anselm and Aquinas.
- Seminal works of the Reformers (Luther, Calvin, Knox, etc.)
- Post-Reformation confessions like the Westminster Confession clarifying Protestant theology.
- Renewed emphasis on biblical authority and sufficiency.
This theological foundation undergirds the gospel proclamation that is central to the Church Age.
Pending End of the Age of Grace
The Age of Grace will end at the Rapture when Christ returns to resurrect dead believers and transform living believers into glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This starts the Tribulation and propels the world into the Age of Judgment.
No one knows when the Rapture and end of the Church Age will occur. It could happen at any moment. Signs to watch for include:
- Increasing apostasy in professing Christendom (1 Timothy 4:1-3).
- Denial of core doctrines and capitulation to worldly philosophies (2 Timothy 3:1-9).
- Focus on ecumenism to the detriment of biblical truth (Revelation 2:12-17).
- Rise in immorality, lawlessness and godlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12).
- Increasing marginalization and persecution of Bible-believing Christians (Luke 21:12-19).
- Global turmoil preparing the way for Antichrist’s peace plan (Matthew 24:21-22).
- Israel’s reemergence as a nation and holy place for Jews (Luke 21:24).
- Increased technology enabling mark of the beast system (Revelation 13:16-17).
Christians should live holy lives, share the gospel urgently, and look forward to Christ’s imminent return to gather believers to Himself at the Rapture.
Conclusion
The Age of Grace is a distinctive dispensation in God’s plan characterized by salvation through faith in Christ, the sanctifying ministry of the Spirit, the Great Commission, and the mystery of Jews and Gentiles united in the church. Despite ups and downs, the last 2,000 years have seen the gospel proclaimed globally. Church history is moving toward Christ’s return for His bride at the imminent Rapture. This wonderful age of grace was made possible only by Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. The doctrines recovered in the Reformation, especially justification by faith alone, are essential for the church. As this age winds down, may the church recommit to the authority of Scripture, centrality of the gospel message, and priority of making disciples until Christ returns.