Dispensation

What, exactly, is a dispensation? The word is found only four times in the King James Bible, and only in the epistles written by Paul. They are:

1. 1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, A DISPENSATION of the gospel is committed unto me.

2. Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of THE DISPENSATIONof the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3. Colossians 1:25 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;

4. Ephesians 1:10 That inTHE 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:

Now there are some interesting things about the definition of the word, as found in the Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

1. Distribution; the act of dealing out to different persons or places; as the dispensation of water indifferently to all parts of the earth.

2. The dealing of God to his creatures; the distribution of good and evil, natural or moral, in the divine government.

But notice particularly the following use:

3. The granting of a license, or the license itself, to do what is forbidden by laws or canons, or to omit something which is commanded; that is, the dispensing with a law or canon, or the exemption of a particular person from the obligation to comply with its injunctions.

Think about it. The BODY OF CHRIST is a PARTICULAR PERSON. It is ONE NEW MAN, as in:

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Ephesians 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

So Paul, by his own statements in 1 Timothy 1:11-16 is the FIRST member of the Body of Christ, the ONE NEW MAN, and is the PATTERN of salvation for all other members. Notice:

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that IN ME FIRST Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

How is it that you "believe on him to life everlasting?" You simply put your trust in the facts of the gospel preached by Paul. That Christ DIED for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3), that he was buried, and three days and three nights later he ROSE AGAIN, and he was raised FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION (Romans 4:25)

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.