LESSON TEN

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The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) presents the end of the age of the Mosaic law also referred to as the Dispensation of Law and the beginning of the Dispensation of Grace. Before this new "age of grace", God dealt with His creation primarily through the law he gave Moses after the Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt. As the Israelites abided by the law, God blessed them. When they broke the law, God judged them. Hundreds of years of history proved the Israelites were incapable of fully keeping the law. No one can be good enough to earn God's favor. God must bridge the gap caused by sin to bestow His forgiveness.

After Jesus death, the prophetic clock was stopped only to restart at the beginning of Tribulation. This period is also referred to as the "church age". A handful of prophetic passages in both the Old and New Testament foreshadow this period lasting approximately two thousand years in duration. God is using this period to build his church thru the spreading of his Gospel around the world by believers. 

Throughout history, God’s interactions have changed based on His divine plan and humanity’s spiritual condition. In the realm of theology, “dispensation” is derived from the concept to "dispense" or "distribute". It signifies a distinct and ordered way of God dealing with humanity. These periods aren’t merely about time but are defined by a commandment or set of guidelines God sets for human conduct. The age of grace, as it’s often termed, stands out as a testament to God’s benevolence. Unlike previous eras where salvation was predominantly through adherence to the law, this dispensation heralds the acceptance of grace as the means of salvation through faith.

“Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” John 20:29

Key scriptures in Ephesians and Romans elucidate this transformation, underscoring the importance of faith in Jesus Christ. Sin has always been a barrier between man and God. However, during the dispensation of grace, Jesus Christ bridged this gap. Believers now have direct access to the Father, not because of their deeds, but due to the sacrifice of Jesus. The book of Romans particularly sheds light on how sinners are justified by faith, emphasizing God’s grace rather than human works.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24

Living under this dispensation is not about complacency but active faith. We are reminded by Galatians that we’ve been set free, not to indulge in sin, but to serve one another in love.

“Nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified”. Galatians 2:16

This era beckons believers to a life of fellowship, service, and spiritual growth, underpinned by the teachings of the apostles and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The dispensation of grace was not a clandestine move by the Creator. Scriptures, especially in Ephesians and Romans, make it evident that God intended this period as a profound revelation of His love. This era is distinct, not because of its departure from the law but due to its embodiment of God’s grace and kindness. 

The call is clear: believers are not merely to comprehend this grace but to embody it. It’s not about passive acceptance but active application. These applications include forgiveness by recognizing our flaws and seeking mercy, longsuffering by emulating God’s patience in our interactions and benevolence by demonstrating God’s love in our actions and attitudes.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:16-24

“Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. Bear one another’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another. For each one will bear his own load.” Galatians 6:1-5

The church age began at Jesus' crucifixion, which occurred in 33 A.D., and should likewise climax with the second coming as early as 2033 A.D., according to this pattern.