Jerry Shugart
Well-known member
It is Acts 2 that he refers to as "a new dispensation."
Let's look at his words again:
"Who can fail to mark the contrast between the earlier and the later chapters of the Acts of the Apostles? Measured by years the period they embrace is comparatively brief; but morally the latter portion of the narrative seems to belong to a different age. And such is in fact the case. A new dispensation has begun, and the Book of the Acts covers historically the period of the transition."
He says that a new dispensation began between the earlier chapters (plural) and the later chapters.
According to you he is saying that a new dispensation began between the "first" chapter and the later chapters. All you prove is that you cannot understand simple English.
He does not see the following as the ACTUAL MAD does; he does not see Acts 9 and 10 as as "a new dispensation."
Then again, neither do you, Jerry. Your incompetence has you beginning it in Acts 13.
I have a sound basis for starting the present dispensation at Acts 13 and you have never provided anything at all which demonstrates that it started at Acts 9. In fact, you have never ever indicated what you think determines the beginning of the present dispensation.
Here are three quotes from the pen of Paul where he speaks of a "dispensation" that has been committed or given to him:
"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me toward you" (Eph. 3:2).
"Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God" (Col.1:25).
"...a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me" (1 Cor.9:17).
The "dispensation" which was committed to Paul is in regard to "God's grace", a "ministry", and a "gospel." Here Paul sums up his dispensational responsibility:
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20: 24).
There can be no doubt whatsoever that the event which marks the beginning of the "dispensation of grace" is the preaching of the "gospel of grace." And that happened at Acts 13.
Now I have gone into detail explaining exactly what determines the beginning of the present dispensation. Now it is your time. I expect you to say: "What determines the beginning of the present dispensation is...."