| The Grapevine July 26, 2002 Understanding The Administrations in the Bible - Part I by Jack Northart When reading the Bible, it is important not only to understand "TO WHOM" a certain section is addressed to, pertaining to either Judean, Gentile or Church of God, but also to understand the different administrations that are throughout the Bible. Countless amounts of error have arisen through the centuries when people have failed to see this simple, but very important key to the Bible's interpretation. Confusion abounds when reading one administration into another, or applying certain aspects of one into another. Let's start this study by looking at 1Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [administration] of the gospel is committed unto me. The Apostle Paul says that an administration was committed unto him. The Greek word for "dispensation" is oikonomia meaning administration, as in a time period. Oikos means house, nemo means "to administer, to weigh out." It literally means "the administration of a house." God gave the gospel or good news regarding this administration to the Apostle Paul. An administration is accurately the administering of an entire era. In the United States, we have a president as its chief executive officer. His presidency is often referred to by his name; for example some past administrations have been the Truman administration, the Eisenhower administration, the Kennedy administration, the Reagan administration. Once a new president is elected, his administration starts and his predecessor's ends. Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation [oikonomia - administration] of the fullness 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. Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation [oikonomia - administration] of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward. KJV translates oikonomia in these verses as dispensations. It is much clearer and easier to understand when they are translated as administrations. And there are seven administrations in God's Word: 1) the Original Paradise, 2) the Patriarchal, 3) the Law, 4) the Christ, 5) the Grace or Mystery 6) the Appearing or Revelation, 7) the Final Paradise or Glory. Each of these administrations has its own beginning and ending. Each is characterized by certain distinctive principles of God's dealings with mankind which call close attention to the Bible student. The Original Paradise Administration is documented from the beginning of Genesis through its 3rd chapter with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. After man sinned by disobeying God, it marked the end of the First Administration. The next one, The Patriarchal Administration, is the time recorded that includes Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his 12 sons. Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of his spoils. Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; But now commandeth all men every where to repent. "…the times of this ignorance," means when the law was unwritten, during this time period. "…God winked at.." which means He just closed His eyes to it. This period lasted until God had Moses write the laws down. Romans 2:12 For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. Next comes the Law Administration which was initiated by God under Moses. It began with the giving of the law to Moses. It terminated with John the Baptist. Luke 16:16a The law and the prophets were until John… When John finished his ministry, Jesus Christ began his, which is the 4th administration called the Christ Administration. During this time, Jesus Christ, as the Messiah himself, was personally present on earth to keep and fulfill the law. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. Matthew 27:51 tells us that when Jesus Christ died, "…behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom…" after it was ripped in two, there was no longer a separation between the priests and the people. The whole area was open to all, both literally and figuratively. [TO BE CONTINUED] |
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