Dispensationalism

Dispensationalism is a straightforward way to understand the Bible by recognizing that God has worked with people in different ways during different periods of history—called dispensations. God Himself never changes, but His instructions and the responsibilities He gives people do change as His overall plan unfolds.

The Bible reveals seven main dispensations:

1. Innocence – Adam and Eve in the Garden before sin.

2. Conscience – From the Fall to the Flood; people governed by conscience.

3. Human Government – From Noah to Abraham; civil authority established.

4. Promise – From Abraham to Moses; God worked through unconditional promises.

5. Law – From Moses to Christ; Israel under the Mosaic Law.

6. Grace (Church Age) – From Pentecost to the Rapture; salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from the Law.

7. Kingdom – The future 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth.

This approach stresses a literal reading of Scripture, keeps Israel and the Church distinct (the Church does not replace Israel), and teaches a pretribulational Rapture followed by a literal Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom. It helps believers “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) so they apply the right instructions for today—living under grace while trusting God’s future promises.