| Niagara International Prophetic Ministries Inc. |
| NIP |
| Releasing the Rivers In you John 7:38 |
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| The Dispensation of Grace |
Truly every Christian has experienced the grace of God in bringing them to Christ, but do you really understand what the
Dispensation of Grace is? Do you know when the Dispensation of Grace began and when it will end? Do you understand
God's purpose in the Dispensation of Grace and how the grace of the living God is operating in your daily life?
It is my hopes that by the end of this study you will be able to answer these questions; and know what exactly God expects
from you during the Dispensation of Grace.
Dispensation of Grace is? Do you know when the Dispensation of Grace began and when it will end? Do you understand
God's purpose in the Dispensation of Grace and how the grace of the living God is operating in your daily life?
It is my hopes that by the end of this study you will be able to answer these questions; and know what exactly God expects
from you during the Dispensation of Grace.
GRACE DEFINED
To gain a complete understanding of the Dispensation of Grace we must begin with the definition of grace.
Webster's dictionary gives us four definitions of grace:
1. Unmerited love and favor of God toward mankind.
2. Divine influence acting in a person to make the person pure, morally strong, etc.
3. The condition of a person brought to God's favor through this influence.
4. A special virtue, gift, or help given to a person by God.
There are three Hebrew words we encounter in the Old Testament defining grace.
1. Chen = graciousness, kindness, favor, pleasant, precious, well-favored.
2. Chahan = to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition),
beseech, grant, give, merciful, show mercy on or upon, have pity upon, pray, make supplication.
3. Techunnah = graciousness, entreaty, favor, supplication.
There are also two Greek words used in the New Testament to define grace.
1. Charis = graciousness of manner or act, spiritual graciousness, the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the
life; including gratitude, acceptable benefit, favor, gift grace, joy, liberality, pleasure, thanks, thankworthy.
2. Euprepeia = good suitableness, i.e. gracefulness, grace.
From the above definitions, which need no explanation, we can learn much about grace but let's go a little deeper to
increase our understanding for it is written: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and with all thy
getting, get understanding," (Proverbs 4:7).
Webster's dictionary gives us four definitions of grace:
1. Unmerited love and favor of God toward mankind.
2. Divine influence acting in a person to make the person pure, morally strong, etc.
3. The condition of a person brought to God's favor through this influence.
4. A special virtue, gift, or help given to a person by God.
There are three Hebrew words we encounter in the Old Testament defining grace.
1. Chen = graciousness, kindness, favor, pleasant, precious, well-favored.
2. Chahan = to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition),
beseech, grant, give, merciful, show mercy on or upon, have pity upon, pray, make supplication.
3. Techunnah = graciousness, entreaty, favor, supplication.
There are also two Greek words used in the New Testament to define grace.
1. Charis = graciousness of manner or act, spiritual graciousness, the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the
life; including gratitude, acceptable benefit, favor, gift grace, joy, liberality, pleasure, thanks, thankworthy.
2. Euprepeia = good suitableness, i.e. gracefulness, grace.
From the above definitions, which need no explanation, we can learn much about grace but let's go a little deeper to
increase our understanding for it is written: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and with all thy
getting, get understanding," (Proverbs 4:7).
WHAT IS A DISPENSATION?
To know how grace works in our daily life we must understand that currently we are in the Dispensation of Grace. A
dispensation refers to a probationary season God uses to deal with humans or angels. There are nine Biblical dispensations.
Seven of these dispensations deal specifically with mankind between the time period of eternity past and eternity future. In
each of these seven dispensations God is holding mankind responsible for a specific action, with a special provision of
reconciliation for those who fail.
dispensation refers to a probationary season God uses to deal with humans or angels. There are nine Biblical dispensations.
Seven of these dispensations deal specifically with mankind between the time period of eternity past and eternity future. In
each of these seven dispensations God is holding mankind responsible for a specific action, with a special provision of
reconciliation for those who fail.
BEGINNING OF DISPENSATION OF GRACE
The Dispensation of Grace began when John the Baptist announced the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew chapter 3)
and Jesus was subsequently baptized in water and in the Spirit. The Dispensation of Grace brought to mankind the fullness of
God's grace but not in the fullness God desired for them to experience it. The Dispensation of Grace will end at the second
advent (coming) of Christ.
and Jesus was subsequently baptized in water and in the Spirit. The Dispensation of Grace brought to mankind the fullness of
God's grace but not in the fullness God desired for them to experience it. The Dispensation of Grace will end at the second
advent (coming) of Christ.
ENDING OF DISPENSATION OF GRACE
What we do know is grace will continue until:
1. The old Roman Empire forms into 10 Kingdoms (Dan. 7:7-8, 19-24) .
2. The Antichrist has been in a position of authority for seven years. During this time the Antichrist will cut and break
a peace treaty in the Middle East (Dan. 9:27).
3. The Church has been raptured (2 Thes. 2:7-8).
"The events of #2 and #3 must take place before Christ returns, however the order of these events is often disputed. It is
not the purpose of this study to settle this dispute."
4. Revelations 4:1 through 19:10 have all been fulfilled.
After the fulfillment of the above events the Dispensation of Grace will end and the Dispensation of Divine
Government will begin.
1. The old Roman Empire forms into 10 Kingdoms (Dan. 7:7-8, 19-24) .
2. The Antichrist has been in a position of authority for seven years. During this time the Antichrist will cut and break
a peace treaty in the Middle East (Dan. 9:27).
3. The Church has been raptured (2 Thes. 2:7-8).
"The events of #2 and #3 must take place before Christ returns, however the order of these events is often disputed. It is
not the purpose of this study to settle this dispute."
4. Revelations 4:1 through 19:10 have all been fulfilled.
After the fulfillment of the above events the Dispensation of Grace will end and the Dispensation of Divine
Government will begin.
PURPOSE OF THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE
The purpose of the Dispensation of Grace is the formation of the Church. During this dispensation God is calling out a people
from every tribe, tongue, and nation. These called out ones are being joined together into His Church (Jn 3:16; Acts 15:13-18; 1
Cor. 1:18-24; 12:12-31; Eph. 2:14-22; 4:7-16; 5:25-32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17.)
The first thing God requires of you during the Dispensation of Grace is to answer His call. It is a call to leave what you know
for what you don't know. A call to live no longer according to the World's way, but rather to live according to the Word's way.
The call comes differently to each one. It may come as an inner prompting or a gentle God whisper. The call may happen
when your life is perfectly normal or when you are experiencing some type of tragedy. How and when the call comes is not
important. The only thing that is important is for you to answer the call.
from every tribe, tongue, and nation. These called out ones are being joined together into His Church (Jn 3:16; Acts 15:13-18; 1
Cor. 1:18-24; 12:12-31; Eph. 2:14-22; 4:7-16; 5:25-32; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17.)
The first thing God requires of you during the Dispensation of Grace is to answer His call. It is a call to leave what you know
for what you don't know. A call to live no longer according to the World's way, but rather to live according to the Word's way.
The call comes differently to each one. It may come as an inner prompting or a gentle God whisper. The call may happen
when your life is perfectly normal or when you are experiencing some type of tragedy. How and when the call comes is not
important. The only thing that is important is for you to answer the call.
THE TEST OF THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE
Faith is the test God is administering during this dispensation. To pass the test of faith you must remain obedient to the
Gospel in its entirety (Rom. 1:5, 16; 16:26; Heb. 11:16; Jas. 1:5-8). If any fails to have faith they are lost (Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:16).
Having faith sounds simple enough but I assure you this test is no walk in the park. In fact, the test is so difficult even Christ
questioned whether or not He would find faith when He returned to the Earth.
"...Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
(Lk. 18:8)
Gospel in its entirety (Rom. 1:5, 16; 16:26; Heb. 11:16; Jas. 1:5-8). If any fails to have faith they are lost (Mk. 16:16; Jn. 3:16).
Having faith sounds simple enough but I assure you this test is no walk in the park. In fact, the test is so difficult even Christ
questioned whether or not He would find faith when He returned to the Earth.
"...Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
(Lk. 18:8)
PROVISION FOR RECONCILIATION
Many will fail the test of faith during the Dispensation of Grace by believing in only portions of the gospel. God in His
wisdom and tender mercy knew to provide a method of reconciliation. The provision is quite simply the death of Christ on the
cross. How privileged we are to be able to look back on the death of Christ to receive the benefits of His death.
In the dispensations preceeding grace mankind had to look forward to the cross in order to receive the benefits of the death of
Christ. Personally I find it much easier to look back to an event that has already transpired rather than looking forward to one
that has not yet occurred.
wisdom and tender mercy knew to provide a method of reconciliation. The provision is quite simply the death of Christ on the
cross. How privileged we are to be able to look back on the death of Christ to receive the benefits of His death.
In the dispensations preceeding grace mankind had to look forward to the cross in order to receive the benefits of the death of
Christ. Personally I find it much easier to look back to an event that has already transpired rather than looking forward to one
that has not yet occurred.
THE WORK OF GRACE
Salvation is a work of grace for it is grace that brings us to Calvary's cross and grace that keeps us ever mindful of the cross
where Christ died for us.
where Christ died for us.
| "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." (Eph. 2:8-9) "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." (Tit. 2:11) |
Protection and provision are also works of grace.
| "For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly." (Ps. 84:11) |
Grace brings about our justification before God.
| "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 3:24) "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Tit. 3:7) |
Grace also enables us to overcome the sins in our lives.
| "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." (Rom. 5:4) "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness into eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 5:21) |
A remnant of believers are being selected and elected by the grace of God not because of our works.
| "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." (Rom. 11:5-6) |
Grace enables Christians to become ministers and to labor in the Kingdom of God.
| bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me." (1 Cor. 15:10) " But when it pleased God who seperated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace." (Gal. 1:15) |
Grace enables us to give of our resources for the work of the Kingdom, which includes helping the poor.
| (Please read 2 Cor. 8:1-24) "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work. As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth. ever." (2 Cor. 9:6-9) |
Grace enables us to endure sufferings and infirmities.
| "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9) |
Grace imparts riches and blessings to us.
| "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:7) |
Grace seasons our speech.
| "Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Col. 4:6) |
Grace gives us strength.
| "Thou therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus ." (2 Tim. 2:1) |
Grace helps us in our time of need.
| "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. " (Heb. 4:16) |
From just these few Scriptures we see the work of Grace is truly amazing. Every aspect of our Christian journey is the result
of God's amazing grace. How very blessed we are to be a part of the wonderful Dispensation of Grace. I hope you have come
to a life-applicational understanding of the Dispensation of Grace that we are a part of. If not, then go over the verses again, let
them sink in until you have a full understanding. The Word of God is living, the more you meditate upon it the more it will
begin to grow within you.
of God's amazing grace. How very blessed we are to be a part of the wonderful Dispensation of Grace. I hope you have come
to a life-applicational understanding of the Dispensation of Grace that we are a part of. If not, then go over the verses again, let
them sink in until you have a full understanding. The Word of God is living, the more you meditate upon it the more it will
begin to grow within you.
| "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Pet. 3:18) |
