Dispensation (theology)
Introduction In theology, one meaning of the term '''dispensation''' is as a distinctive arrangement or period in history that forms the framework through which God relates to mankind.
Baháʼí dispensations In the Baháʼí Faith, a dispensation is a period of progressive revelation relating to the major religions of humanity, usually with a prophet accompanying it.The faith's founder Bahá'u'lláh advanced the concept that dispensations tend to be millennial, mentioning in the ''Kitáb-i-Íqán'' that God will renew the "City of God" about every thousand years, and specifically mentioned that a new Manifestation of God would not appear within 1,000 years (1852–2852) of the inaugurating moment of Bahá'u'lláh's Dispensation, but that the authority of Bahá'u'lláh's message could last up to 500,000 years.
Latter Day Saint dispensations In the Latter Day Saint movement, a dispensation is a period of time in which God gave priesthood authority to men on the Earth through prophetic callings. Between each dispensation is an apostasy where the priesthood is at least partially absent. The LDS Bible Dictionary says
Plymouth Brethren dispensations The Plymouth Brethren systematized dispensationalism, which has since been adopted by other groups, including certain Baptists and Pentecostals. The concept of a dispensation – the arrangement of divisions in biblical history – dates back to Irenaeus in the second century. Other Christian writers and leaders since then, such as Augustine of Hippo and Joachim of Fiore (1135–1202), have also offered their own dispensation arrangements of history. Below is a table comparing some of the various dispensational schemes: Range of Bible Chapters '''Schemes''' '''Genesis 1–3''' '''Genesis 3–8''' '''Genesis 9–11''' '''Genesis 12  to Exodus 19''' '''Exodus 20 to  Acts 1''' '''Acts 2 to  Revelation 20''' '''Revelation 20:4–6''' '''Revelation 20–22''' '''7 or 8 Dispensational  Scheme'''  Innocence  or Edenic Conscience  or Antediluvian Civil Government Patriarchal  or Promise Mosaic  or Law Grace  or Church Millennial Kingdom Eternal State  or Final '''4 Dispensational  Scheme'''  Patriarchal Mosaic Ecclesial Zionic '''3 Dispensational Scheme  (Reformed or minimalist position)''' Freedom Grace (Law) Grace (Gospel) KingdomAlthough the divine revelation unfolds progressively, the deposit of truth in earlier time-periods is not discarded, rather it is cumulative. Thus conscience (moral responsibility) is an abiding truth in human life (Ro. 2:15; 9:1; 2 Co. 1:12; 4:2), although it does not continue as a dispensation. Similarly, the saved of this present dispensation are "not under law" as a specific test of obedience to divine revelation (Gal. 5:18; cp. Gal 2:16; 3:11), yet the law remains an integral part of Dispensational teaching. The Law clarifies that, although Christ fulfilled the law for us, by it we have had the knowledge of sin (Rom 7:7), and it is an integral part of the Holy Scriptures, which, to the redeemed, are profitable for "training in righteousness" (2 Ti. 3:16–17; cp. Ro. 15:4). The purpose of each dispensation, then, is to place man under a specific rule of conduct, but such stewardship is not a condition of salvation. In every past dispensation unregenerate man has failed, much like he is failing in the present dispensation, and will fail in the future until Eternity arrives. Salvation has been and will continue to be available to everyone by God's grace through faith.
See also * Dispensationalist theology
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