The dispensation of grace refers to the current period of time we are living in, where God’s grace and salvation are freely offered to all people through faith in Jesus Christ. This dispensation began after Christ’s death and resurrection and will continue until the rapture of the church.
Some key things to know about the dispensation of grace:
- It is a period of undeserved favor and mercy from God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Salvation is available to all people, not just the Jews. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
- We are justified by faith alone in Christ alone, not by following the Law. “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28).
- All believers have direct access to God through Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).
- The Church is composed of all true believers, both Jews and Gentiles. “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
So in summary, the dispensation of grace emphasizes salvation by God’s free grace, not human effort, through faith in Christ. It grants equal access to God for all believers through the indwelling Holy Spirit. And it unites Jewish and Gentile believers together in the universal Church.
Characteristics of the Dispensation of Grace
There are several key characteristics that distinguish the dispensation of grace from other dispensations in biblical history:
- Unconditional grace – God offers salvation as a free gift to anyone who believes in Jesus, regardless of background, works or merit (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Global proclamation – The gospel is to be preached to all nations, tribes and peoples (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8).
- Holy Spirit indwelling – All believers are permanently indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13).
- Completed revelation – The full revelation of God’s truth is contained in the completed Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:1-2).
- Unity in Christ – All true believers are united in the body of Christ, regardless of nationality, social status, or gender (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14-18).
- Grace-oriented living – Believers are instructed and enabled to live godly lives out of gratitude for God’s grace, not legalistic compulsion (Titus 2:11-14).
These characteristics help us understand the uniqueness of the church age and how to live in light of God’s amazing grace. The offer of salvation to all, the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the completion of God’s revelation provide the foundation for how Christians are to think, act, and relate to God and others during this dispensation.
Beginning of the Dispensation of Grace
There is some debate among theologians and Bible scholars about when exactly the dispensation of grace began. Here are some of the main views:
- At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was first poured out on believers (Acts 2).
- During Jesus’ earthly ministry when he began preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
- At the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross when he secured salvation.
- At Peter’s vision in Acts 10, when salvation was extended to the Gentiles.
However, the most common view is that the dispensation of grace was firmly established at the conversion of the Apostle Paul in Acts 9. A strong case can be made that God revealed the full mystery of the gospel to Paul at his conversion (Galatians 1:11-12; Ephesians 3:1-6). The book of Acts serves as a transition between God’s working through Israel and His direction turning toward the church.
So in summary, while aspects of the dispensation of grace began earlier, it was fully revealed and established with Paul’s conversion which then unlocked the theological truths and mysteries God had been building towards all along.
End of the Dispensation of Grace
The dispensation of grace will end with the rapture of the church. This is the event where living believers are “caught up” to meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). At this point, the church age will end and the foretold 7-year tribulation period will begin on earth.
Scripture doesn’t give the exact timing of when the rapture and the end of the church age will happen. But here are some signs the Bible gives of the approaching end of the dispensation of grace:
- Increasing apostasy in the church (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1-3).
- Rise of a global, unified system (Revelation 13:7-8, 16-17).
- The gospel being preached to the whole world (Matthew 24:14).
- General conditions on earth getting worse – lawlessness, violence, immorality (Matthew 24:12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
- Intensification of birth pains – wars, natural disasters, famines (Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:10-11).
- Persecution of believers and growing intolerance of biblical views (Matthew 24:9-13).
While no one knows the day or hour, students of Bible prophecy see these signs being fulfilled, indicating the church age is coming to an end. The rapture will occur unannounced and without warning, ending the dispensation of grace on earth.
Contrast With Past and Future Dispensations
Comparing and contrasting the dispensation of grace with past and future dispensations helps highlight its unique qualities:
Patriarchal and Mosaic Dispensations
In the previous patriarchal dispensation and Mosaic Law dispensation, God dealt specifically with His chosen people, national Israel. Only they had access to Him, His revelation, and His working (Psalm 147:19-20; Amos 3:2). Salvation required obedience to the Law which only Israel received.
In contrast, the dispensation of grace offers salvation to all nations by grace through faith alone. All believers have access to God’s presence and spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-13, 18). Salvation is not earned by good works or law-keeping (Galatians 2:16).
Millennial Kingdom
In the future millennium, Jesus Christ will physically reign on earth from Jerusalem after His second coming (Revelation 20:4-6). Israel will again be God’s chosen people through whom He works and reveals Himself. Access to God will also require obedience andTravel to Jerusalem.
The indwelling Holy Spirit, the completed Scriptures, and the universal body of Christ will be unique to the dispensation of grace and not carry over into the millennium. God’s grace will still be evident but the dispensational arrangements will be different.
So we see that the unconditional grace, global access to God, and spiritual unity of the church distinguish the dispensation of grace as extraordinarily unique in all of history. Appreciating this helps Christians fully understand God’s glorious working in the church age.
Roles and Responsibilities in the Dispensation of Grace
Living in the age of grace impacts how believers are to see their roles and responsibilities before God:
The Great Commission
Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all nations takes on even greater urgency knowing the dispensation of grace will end at His coming (Matthew 28:18-20). All believers have a responsibility to reach the lost while time remains (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Living in the Spirit
Rather than relating to God through outward rituals or the Law, believers can now depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower them for godliness and service (Galatians 5:16-18). The Spirit produces His fruit in believers as they submit to His control.
Unity in Diversity
As members of the universal body of Christ, believers are to maintain unity while rejoicing in the diversity of God’s people – no matter their nationality, social status, or gender (Ephesians 4:1-6; Galatians 3:28).
Watchful Waiting
Knowing the end of the age draws near at the rapture, believers are to live watchful, holy lives diligently sharing the gospel while awaiting Christ’s return (Titus 2:11-14; 2 Timothy 4:1-2).
Fulfilling these Christ-honoring responsibilities takes on new motivation and perspective in light of the unique dynamics of the dispensation of grace.
Application for the Christian Life
Here are some key applications for how the truths of the dispensation of grace impact the Christian’s daily life and walk with God:
- Rest completely in God’s grace for salvation and daily strength rather than personal effort and works (Ephesians 2:8-10).
- Draw near to God with confident access through prayer and Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 4:16, James 4:8).
- Pursue unity and reconciliation across lines of race, status, and gender (Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:14-19).
- Be vigilant in holy living, guarding thought and deed, knowing Christ could return at any time (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8).
- Be faithful and urgent in gospel witness, making the most of every opportunity to reach the lost (2 Corinthians 5:20; Colossians 4:5-6).
- Use spiritual gifts to edify other believers, serving in love as members of Christ’s body (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Peter 4:10).
Living daily with the confident hope, grace orientation, and empowering of the Spirit that mark the dispensation of grace allows believers to walk worthy of their calling in Christ (Ephesians 4:1). They demonstrate God’s wisdom in ushering in this unprecedented era of redemptive history (Ephesians 3:10).
The Unsearchable Riches of Christ
While the dispensation of grace has defined characteristics, there is an unfathomable depth to the spiritual blessings it provides believers. Paul described these as the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8).
Believers in this age:
- Become fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
- Are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies (Ephesians 1:3).
- Receive the indwelling Holy Spirit as God’s pledge and seal for eternity (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
- Are being transformed into Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
- Are seated in the heavenlies with Christ (Ephesians 2:6).
- Will rule and reign with Christ in His coming kingdom (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10).
These blessings relate believers intimately to Christ and grant them privileges the Old Testament saints could only dream of. There is always more for the believer to discover about these riches through studying Scripture and maturing in the faith.
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
A final aspect of the dispensation of grace important to grasp is that God’s grace is greater than all human sin. Where sin increased, grace increased all the more (Romans 5:20). Even while extending long-suffering mercy, God’s grace remains undefeated and able to redeem the most hardened sinner.
Paul testified that he was shown mercy so Christ could demonstrate His perfect patience as an example to those who would later believe (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Paul was not out of the reach of grace despite persecuting the church. There is no limit to grace’s power.
Believers should never fear their sins are greater than God’s grace, if they repent and confess them (1 John 1:9). However, neither should grace become an excuse to keep sinning (Romans 6:1-2). As recipients of immense grace, believers walk in humility, holiness and gratitude.
The unmerited favor of God in Christ Jesus stands as the greatest blessing of the dispensation of grace. When it ends at the rapture of the church, those left behind will no longer be able to freely receive it. But while it remains in effect today, it is offered abundantly to all who will believe in Jesus and His finished work on the cross for their salvation.