The Ecclesiastical
Dispensation
(The Sixth Dispensation)
By Eric William King
A basic
outline of the Sixth Dispensation
looks something like this;
Ecclesiastical Responsibility: John 1:12; Romans 8:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9
Ecclesiastical
Failure: John 5:39-40; 2nd Timothy
3:1-7
Ecclesiastical
Judgment: 2nd Thessalonians 2:3; 2nd
Timothy 4:3
The
Ecclesiastical Dispensation
(also known as “The Dispensation of Grace”) was officially started on Pentecost
when the Holy Spirit filled the first believers of the first church (Acts 2:1-13).
We could also say that this dispensation will last from the “cross” to the “crown” of Jesus Christ our Savior. While here on Earth Jesus
promised to “build His church” and it
is His church (Matthew 16:18).
The Greek word
for “church” is ekklesia and
simply means “an assembly of called out people” or “believers”. In
this sense the church is really not a building but a people. In America many
think of the church as a denomination
or a building…this is wrong thinking.
Church Built on Jesus
Christ
In Matthew
16:15-19 we read about Jesus asking His disciples, “Who do you say I am?”. Apostle Peter responds that Jesus is the “Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” The
name Peter in Greek means “a stone” (petros). In Jesus’ response back to
Peter we see a play on words. Jesus basically says back, “You are Peter (a small stone - petros) but on this Rock (Greek
word “petra” meaning “large rock” - the testimony of Peter
recognizing Jesus as Messiah) I will build my Church.” Thus, the true church is
built on the fact that Jesus is the true Messiah, the church is not
built “on Peter”.
Later Apostle
Peter himself affirms that Jesus is the true Rock and that the church is built
on Christ and not him (1st Peter 2:4-8). Though ancient Israel
can be seen as an ekklesia (church) it is not the New Testament church. The
New Testament church was built by Jesus Christ and is a new creation. Old
Testament prophets hinted of the Christian church but they did not understand
it. Apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians explains that the Christian church
was a mystery to the Israelites (Ephesians
1:9-10). The Christian church would allow all people, not just
Israelites into its assembly.
Gentiles Called In
When the
Messiah came the literal Israelites thought that He would immediately “set up”
His kingdom. Jesus did not do that, instead He built His church and had Apostle
Paul begin to call in all people from every kindred,
race, tribe, and tongue. This
church dispensation will end when the last Gentile is called in (Romans 11:25).
When the church is complete then it will be Raptured up thus ending
the Ecclesiastical Dispensation (1st Corinthians 15:51-53).
In this dispensation
of grace God is calling all of His true children into “the
Kingdom of God”. True Christians become ambassadors of the Kingdom message (2nd Corinthians 5:20)
through the spreading of the Good News
(the Gospel of Jesus Christ). In a sense
this dispensation is a Parenthetical Dispensation - between the dispersion of Israel and their restoration which will completely
happen at the end of the Seven Year Tribulation (Acts 3:20-22).
The Church Mystery
Apostle Paul
calls this dispensation “the mystery,
which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men” (Ephesians 3:3-6).
It stresses that the Gentiles are to be saved (Romans 9:24-30). The church
has its King, Jesus Christ and He is currently seated at “the right hand of the
Father” on the Heavenly throne. When Jesus Christ returns He will be “given the
throne of His father David” (Luke 1:32; Matthew 19:28-30) and restore the Davidic throne on Earth in Glory.
In this sense
the Christian church is already experiencing the “Davidic
covenant”. We are also
experiencing the beginning of the New Covenant. Though the church is
experiencing the blessings of the New Covenant, having reconciliation with God, having the blessing of fellowship with other believers – we will
truly not experience the fullness of the New Covenant until the Millennial Reign
of Christ.
We are all
following the Divine Course of the Ages as planned by Divine Intelligence (God). The Christian
church is depicted as “the body of Christ
on earth” (1st Corinthians 12:12-31). It is not to be divided (1st
Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:4-6; Romans 16:17-18). The church members
are referred to as “Christians” – a name
given to us first in Antioch (Acts 11:26).
The true church is ultimately being taught and formed by the Holy Spirit.
Church Sacraments
Those who
belong to the true church were “purchased”
by the “blood of the Lamb
(Jesus)” (Romans 3:24-25; 1st Corinthians 6:20; 1st Peter
1:18-19). We have two sacraments
in this dispensation that we practice and these or the taking of “the Lord’s supper” and “water baptism”. We also “do not forsake
the gathering of ourselves together” – we
attend church (Hebrews 10:25).
You’re Invited
Once you
truly accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, God, and Savior you become a Christian.
If you are not a literal Israelite (a Gentile) and become a Christian you are
no longer Gentile but a true son or daughter of God. If you are Israelite or
Jewish and you become a Christian you are no longer Jew – you are Christian. Today
you hear people calling themselves “Jewish Christians” and the Bible does not
teach that. If you are a true Christian “behold, all things become NEW” – you are
CHRISTIAN and not
Jew or Gentile (2nd Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 3:28).
To be a member of Christ’s church is to
be Christian.
There are
only three groups mentioned in Scripture and these are “Jews – Israelites”, “Gentiles”
– all others, and “Christians”
– “the Church of God”
and everyone belongs to one of these groups (1st Corinthians 10:32).
Here at “The Shepherds Way” and “Nugget of Truth” I invite you in this Dispensation of Grace to receive true forgiveness and reconciliation with God through hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and accepting Him as your true Savior
and King.
When this
church dispensation ends we will enter the
final dispensation on this planet
and that will be the Millennial Reign of
our Lord Jesus Christ. The coming 1000 year reign of Christ will be the Seventh and Final Dispensation before
the New Creation of ALL THINGS.
Thank you for
studying God’s word with us and may you experience His joy in your life.
The Word of
God is TRUTH.
Eric William
King (October 24th 2020)
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