The Ecclesiastical Dispensation
(The Sixth Dispensation)
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.
Presbyter King, (October 24th 2020)
The Ecclesiastical Dispensation Faith
Above: Presbyter King explains what it means to be a New Covenant believer.
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