Bible Studies

The Source of Dispensational Confusion Part Two

by Doug Laird 
01/01/24
Free to Share

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Disciple is an English translation of the Greek word mathetes. A mathetes is a born-again believer who moves forward in the plan of God, becoming a student and applier of the Word of God.

All born-again believers are Heaven-bound, but not all born-again believers enter into or remain in discipleship, excluding themselves from the additional reward and privileges that are reserved for disciples.

Advancing disciples do not serve God to be rewarded, but God has chosen to reward and privilege advancing disciples. In fact, Jesus taught that the reward for an advancing disciple will be great (1).

Discipleship is initially for the edification and spiritual growth of oneself, but with the long-term objective of being used by God to evangelize unbelievers and to edify fellow believers.

Satan promotes anything that will distract God’s people from identifying and accomplishing the Work that God has given His Church (and every member of it), to do.

It matters not (to the devil) if this distraction comes in the form of Man-made religion, good deeds, adversity, or sin, as long as it accomplishes his objective.

There is a place for humanitarian and environmental projects, political action, and the promoting of social justice, but none of these things, in of themselves, can save or edify a soul, or generate a split second of eternal life. This is the principle behind the question raised in Mark 8: 36.

“For what does it benefit a person to gain (or to be given) the whole world (everything that this world has to offer), and (but then) forfeit(s) his soul (Mark 8: 36 NASB2020)?”

. . .

Satan knows how adversity can impact the productivity of a weary believer. Such weariness is usually the frustrating result of trying to accomplish spiritual objectives by using human means, rather than using the enabling power (2) that God supplies.

This weariness can also be the result the failing to see any positive results in the spiritual lives of those with whom one tries to evangelize or edify. This can be especially true when it comes to the salvation and edification of family members and friends, whose spiritual well-being is of greatest concern.

This scenario underscores the Mark 6: 4 reality. “Jesus said to them, “A prophet (spokesperson for God) is not dishonored except in his hometown and among his own relatives, and in his own household (Mark 6: 4 NASB parenthesis mine).”

As the old saying goes you can lead the horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

No one, but God, knows exactly what the spiritual needs are of any given soul, at any given time. Sometimes advancing disciples are used to set an example to generate a spiritual curiosity or interest when they see the unspoken testimony of the advancing disciple.

“. . . sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect (1Pet. 3: 15 NASB2020).”

Sometimes Church Age advancing disciples are used to share the unadulterated Gospel Message.

At other times,  Church Age advancing disciple is used to share an edifying principle of Bible doctrine. Advancing disciples may never, on this side of Heaven, see the end result of what they said or did, but can be at peace, knowing they played the part in the process as a planter, a gardener, a cultivator, or a reaper in the spiritual life of others. . .

In addition to misguidance from the blind leading the blind (3), distraction can be the result of establishing the wrong priorities and desires.

“. . . the WORRIES of the world, and the DECEITFULNESS of wealth, and the DESIRES for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4:19 NASB2020).”
. . .

If we (disciples of the Church Age dispensation) are to stay focused and on point, we must learn to discern what commands and principles apply to ALL dispensations. We must learn what commands and principles applied ONLY to past dispensations. We must learn what commands and principles apply to the Church Age dispensation. We must learn what commands and principles will apply to future dispensations, yet to come.

Equally important, we must learn to identify what are the products and practices of Man-made religions that do NOT have a part in the plan of God in ANY dispensation.  Failing to do so  has resulted in the planting of seeds that have produced and have promoted the principles and practices of Man-made religion.

In the reintroduction cases, one must apply the “until” significance of Matt. 5: 18 to understand when what WAS an active command no longer applies to the Church Age.

“For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter shall pass from the Law, U-N-T-I-L all (it was intended to do) is accomplished (Matt. 5: 18 NASB2020 parenthesis mine)! “

The point is, while there are some commands and principles that apply to all dispensations, there some commands and accompanying practices in Scripture that have already accomplished their purpose and goal, and therefore are no longer applicable to the Church Age.

Among the commands that were intended to only be a part of the Old Testament dispensation, were the mandatory animal sacrifices that took place in the Temple courts, with the blood of the slain animals being a part of the repeated atoning rituals (4). Such rituals were symbolic of the once  and for all, one time blood sacrifice that would be (and was) made by the Lamb of God, the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ (5).

Tithing was another command and practice  intended for the Old Testament dispensation. A large portion of the tithes and offerings that the people brought into the Temple were retained by the priests, providing for them, their logistical support.

Rather or not tithing is the standard that you have set for yourself (when it comes to your free-will financial support of your local assembly) is a matter between you and the Lord. To require or pressure  other Church Age believers to tithe is going beyond the purpose and time period for which Old Testament tithing command and practices were established.

Here in the dispensation of the Church Age, “Each one (Church Age believer) must do just as he has decided in his heart, NOT reluctantly or under COMPULSION (tithing), for God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor. 9: 7 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”

The Old Testament Temple and the Levitical priesthood are not a part of the Church Age, and neither are many of the Church Age priesthoods and delegated functions that are no more than the products of the Man-made religions that established them for this very purpose.

Here in the dispensation of the Church Age, the “temple” of God is NOT a building (6), and the Church Age priesthood (7) consists of every born-again Church Age believer, with the High Priest being Lord Jesus Christ (8).

In closing, the denominational confusion between Church Age  believers isthe result  of adding to or the taking  away ng from what God intends to be apart  of worship and daily living, here  in the dispensation of tge Church Age.

End of Part Two

(1) Matt. 5: 11, 12, 19 (2) John 15: 5 (3) Matt. 15: 14 (3) 1Cor. 3: 16 (4) Leviticus 4 (5) John 1: 29/Heb. 9: 12 (6) 1Cor. 3: 16 (7) 1Pet. 2: 9 (8) Heb. 9: 11

*Revised edition 1/3/24