Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD, I change not;
The attributes and character of God do not change.
But, the way He deals with mankind and the instructions He has 'dispensed' to mankind throughout history has changed.
A Dispensation is a specific set of instructions given by God for man’s obedience and benefit. (Not unlike a doctor writing a prescription for a patient's benefit to be 'dispensed' from a pharmacy.) It is not a specified period of time but rather specified guidelines given to God's spokesman: e.g., God dispensed the Law to Moses for Israel to obey, but Paul was given the doctrine of grace whereby Jews and Gentiles alike could be saved, sanctified, edified and perfected (made mature) as members of the Church, the Body of Christ. Man is to conduct himself according to guidelines given during his lifetime.
There are many doctrinal subjects that need to be viewed dispensationally in order to keep from being confused, or (worse yet) think that the Bible contradicts itself. Take the subject of eating...God clearly and plainly throughout the last 6,000 years has specified how and what mankind is to eat.
Ø In the Garden of Eden: Adam was a vegetarian, eating herbs and fruits (Genesis 1:29-30)
Ø After the Flood: hunting animals for food was instituted (Genesis 9:1-3)
Ø At the giving of the Law: peculiar dietary restrictions were given (Exodus 12:30; Leviticus 3:17; 11)
Ø At the giving of the revelation of the grace of God to Paul: all restrictions were removed (1 Timothy 4:4-5; Colossians 2:16)
Ø In the Ages to Come: eating of fruit will be restored.
However, today, some denominations will forbid the eating of meat on Fridays and others will forbid the eating of various foods, e.g., pork, shrimp, etc. They take such 'ordinances' from the Bible, but they take them out of a Dispensation that is not for us in this present "But Now" dispensation of time.
Mark 7:9, 13
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Romans 3:4
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Today, God in His grace encourages mankind to ‘consider’ the commandments of Christ as given to Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, by rightly dividing the word of truth. [See Right Division 101]
1 Corinthians 14:37
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I [Paul] write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
When we do, then the Lord has given us a promise.
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I [Paul] say; and the Lord [will] give thee understanding in all things.
I pray that you take God's Word for it--study it out for yourself-- and not rely on the religious traditions of men to help you understand your King James Bible.
…Yea, let God be true, but every man [whose words do not line up with God's Word, be] a liar!!
