4. Define Dispensationalism and Identify why it matters.

4. Define Dispensationalism and Identify why it matters.

Webster's 1828 dictionary gives an accurate definition of "dispensation".

"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. Neither are Gods methods or intentions different in his dispensations to each private man.

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. The pope has power to dispense with the canons of the church, but has no right to grant dispensations to the injury of a third person.
A dispensation was obtained to enable Dr. Barrow to marry.

4. That which is dispensed or bestowed; a system of principles and rites enjoined; as the Mosaic dispensation; the gospel dispensation; including, the former the Levitical law and rites; the latter the scheme of redemption by Christ."

The word "dispensation" is used 4 times in the scriptures. 

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.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the 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:

Ephesians 3:2 That in the 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:

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;

Dispensationalism is the proper method of Bible study. Paul called it "rightly dividing the word of truth" in 2 Timothy 2:15. This means that there are different divisions in the word of God. We can divide the Bible by covenants, testaments, dispensations, and by distinguishing between prophecy and mystery.

Dispensationalism matters because it allows us to know how to understand the Bible. It allows us to know what doctrine we should be following.

Dispensationalism ("rightly dividing") allows us to know what we should believe about the gospel (Genesis 2:17? Genesis 6:14? Genesis 12:1-3? Exodus 19:5? Mark 1:4? Acts 2:38? Acts 13:38-39?).

Dispensationalism allows us to know what to believe about prayer (Genesis 3:10? Genesis 46:2? Numbers 21:7? Matthew 21:22? Romans 8:26).

Dispensationalism allows us to know what to believe about baptism (Luke 3:3, Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21, Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-16, Hebrews 10:22? 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:10-12, Galatians 3:26-28, 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, Ephesians 4:5?).

Dispensationalism allows us to know if we are in prophecy or mystery (Acts 3:19-26, Romans 15:8, 1 Peter 1:7-11? Romans 11:25, Ephesians 3:1-9, Colossians 1:25-26, Ephesians 5:32?)

Dispensationalism allows us to know what our commission is (Matthew 10, Matthew 28? 1 Corinthians 1:17, 2 Corinthians 5?).

If you check those references, you will notice that there are definitely DIVISIONS in the Bible that must be "rightly" divided.

I believe that God gave the mystery dispensation of grace through Paul at Acts 9 (Ephesians 3:1-9, Colossians 1:25-26, Romans 11:25) and that it was from his conversion that he became the pattern for those who would believe the gospel after him (1 Timothy 1:14-16, 1 Corinthians 3:10). I believe that we are to follow Paul in the doctrine that Christ gave him (2 Timothy 2:7, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1, Philippians 3:17). Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and it was Paul that Christ committed our gospel to (Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:7-8).