Helps to be berean
Helps to be berean
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Dispensationism vs Covenant Dispensation vs Progressive Dispensation
To me what is key is it Biblical. You be the Judge! Big words confuse me. I like progressive with covenant. Keep it Christ Centered and biblical and literal.
Covenant dispensation
Covenant dispensation (or more commonly, the "administrations" or "dispensations" of the covenant) is a concept primarily from covenant theology, a framework in Reformed and Protestant Christian thought for understanding God's relationship with humanity across redemptive history.
Key Concepts
- Covenant Theology organizes Scripture around God's covenants (formal agreements or relational bonds) rather than distinct "dispensations" as the primary structure.
- It typically identifies two main overarching covenants:
- Covenant of Works (or life): Made with Adam in Eden, promising life for perfect obedience (broken by the Fall).
- Covenant of Grace: God's promise of redemption and salvation through faith in Christ (the promised seed), established after the Fall and unfolding throughout history.
The covenant of grace is one unified covenant but administered (or "dispensed") differently in various eras. These are not separate tests or ways of salvation (salvation has always been by grace through faith), but progressive revelations and applications of the same gracious promise, pointing forward to Christ.
Read more: Dispensationism vs Covenant Dispensation vs Progressive Dispensation
- Danwillie Blogger and Believer in Christ.: At 75, I have been blogging since Al Gore invented internet. When I was 9, a lady, Mrs Slayter lead me to Christ. At that time I had little knowledge other than I was a sinner and Christ provided my a path to heaven. Every day, I thank God for Mrs Slayter.
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In the King James Version (KJV) of Paul's Epistles, "dispensation" (from the Greek oikonomia, meaning "stewardship," "administration," or "household management") appears exactly four times.
Here are the verses (all in Paul's letters; no other occurrences in his epistles):
- 1 Corinthians 9:17 — "For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me." Paul refers to the stewardship or responsibility/trust of preaching the gospel that God has assigned (committed) to him.
- Ephesians 1:10 — "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." This points to a future administration or period ("fulness of times") when God will unite all things under Christ's headship.
- Ephesians 3:2 — "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward." Paul describes the stewardship or administration of God's grace revealed to him for the Gentiles (linked to the "mystery" of the church).
- Colossians 1:25 — "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." Again, Paul’s God-given stewardship or commission to minister the gospel (especially the mystery now revealed).
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- Danwillie Blogger and Believer in Christ.: At 75, I have been blogging since Al Gore invented internet. When I was 9, a lady, Mrs Slayter lead me to Christ. At that time I had little knowledge other than I was a sinner and Christ provided my a path to heaven. Every day, I thank God for Mrs Slayter.
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Summary of Key Themes in Romans
The Epistle to the Romans is Paul’s longest and most systematic letter. It is often considered his theological masterpiece, laying out the gospel in a logical, comprehensive way. Written around AD 57 to a mixed Jewish-Gentile church in Rome that Paul had not yet visited, it explains how God makes sinners right with Himself and what that means for daily life.Major Themes (in the order they unfold in the letter)
- Universal Sin and Guilt (Chapters 1–3)
- All humanity—Gentiles and Jews alike—is under sin and God’s judgment.
- No one is righteous by their own efforts; the Law exposes sin but cannot remove it.
- “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23).
- Justification by Faith Alone (Chapters 3–5)
- Central theme of the letter.
- Righteousness comes as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning death, not by works of the Law.
- Abraham is the prime example: justified by faith before the Law or circumcision.
- Peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory result from this justification.
- Danwillie Blogger and Believer in Christ.: At 75, I have been blogging since Al Gore invented internet. When I was 9, a lady, Mrs Slayter lead me to Christ. At that time I had little knowledge other than I was a sinner and Christ provided my a path to heaven. Every day, I thank God for Mrs Slayter.
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Being a Berean and Rightly Dividing the Word
Rightly Dividing the Word in 2 Timothy 2:15, is to be similar to being Berean and end in the same result. As a believer in the Body of Christ, your faith will increase and personal love for Christ in your life will grow.
[2Ti 2:15 KJV] 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Take note at bottom of the page the other verses that make up the context.
Being a Berean refers to the positive example of the Jewish people in the synagogue at Berea (in Macedonia) described in Acts 17:10-12 of the New Testament. They are praised as “more noble” (or “fair-minded” / “open-minded”) than the Jews in Thessalonica because of how they responded to the gospel message preached by the Apostle Paul and Silas. These Jewish men had an in-depth understanding of the Old Testament and the Gospel that Paul taught with the mysteries revealed to him added to what they understood.
Key Bible Passage (Acts 17:10-12, CSB)
“As soon as it was night, the brothers and sisters sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. Upon arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Consequently, many of them believed…”
- Danwillie Blogger and Believer in Christ.: Danwilllie here. with another writing on What I think is important in the Word of God. Keep in mind, my only goal is to get you to read the Word. As a dispensational progressive writer I understand that reading Gods Word in a growth thing and your interpretation may be different then mine. But we must agree Salvation in our position is thru our belief in Christ death, burial, and Resurrection.
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Paul's Epistles (Letters)
Paul's Epistles (Letters) in the New Testament The Apostle Paul wrote 13 letters that are universally accepted as part of the New Testament canon. These are traditionally grouped as the Pauline Epistles.
The 13 Accepted Pauline Epistles (in canonical order):
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Order
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Epistle
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Also Known As
|
Approximate Date
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Key Themes / Audience
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
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Romans
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Epistle to the Romans
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~57 AD
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Salvation, faith, righteousness for Jews & Gentiles
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2
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1 Corinthians
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First Epistle to the Corinthians
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~53–54 AD
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Church problems, love, resurrection
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|
3
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2 Corinthians
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Second Epistle to the Corinthians
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~55–56 AD
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Defense of apostleship, reconciliation
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|
4
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Galatians
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Epistle to the Galatians
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~48–55 AD
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Justification by faith, freedom from the law
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|
5
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Ephesians
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Epistle to the Ephesians
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~60–62 AD
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Unity of the church, spiritual armor
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|
6
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Philippians
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Epistle to the Philippians
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~60–62 AD
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Joy, humility, unity
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|
7
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Colossians
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Epistle to the Colossians
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~60–62 AD
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Supremacy of Christ, warnings against false teaching
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|
8
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1 Thessalonians
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First Epistle to the Thessalonians
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~50–51 AD
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Second coming of Christ, holy living
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|
9
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2 Thessalonians
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Second Epistle to the Thessalonians
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~50–51 AD
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End times, idleness
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|
10
|
1 Timothy
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First Epistle to Timothy
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~62–64 AD
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Church leadership & order (Pastoral)
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|
11
|
2 Timothy
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Second Epistle to Timothy
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~66–67 AD
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Endurance, final instructions (Pastoral)
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|
12
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Titus
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Epistle to Titus
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~62–64 AD
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Church organization on Crete (Pastoral)
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|
13
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Philemon
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Epistle to Philemon
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~60–62 AD
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Forgiveness, slavery (personal letter)
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Notes:
- Pastoral Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are often grouped together because they focus on church leadership and pastoral care.
- Prison Epistles: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon were likely written while Paul was in prison.
- Hebrews: This letter is not included in the list above. In the past it was sometimes attributed to Paul (making 14 letters), but most modern scholars do not believe Paul wrote it. It is anonymous.
These 13 letters form the core of Pauline theology and make up a significant portion of the New Testament. They are presented in the Bible roughly from longest to shortest (with a few exceptions).
- Danwillie Blogger and Believer in Christ.: At 75, I have been blogging since Al Gore invented internet. When I was 9, a lady, Mrs Slayter lead me to Christ. At that time I had little knowledge other than I was a sinner and Christ provided my a path to heaven. Every day, I thank God for Mrs Slayter.
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In the King James Bible (KJB), the Apostle Paul uses Mystery
Uses the term "mystery" (from the Greek mystērion, meaning a secret or hidden truth now revealed by God) several times across his epistles. These refer to divine truths that were hidden in past ages but revealed through Paul (and sometimes other apostles/prophets) for the Church age.
Read more: The Mysteries in Paul's Epistles
- Danwillie Blogger and Believer in Christ.: At 75, I have been blogging since Al Gore invented internet. When I was 9, a lady, Mrs Slayter lead me to Christ. At that time I had little knowledge other than I was a sinner and Christ provided my a path to heaven. Every day, I thank God for Mrs Slayter.