Dispensationalism -- Is there a progressive plan?
Acts 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
KJV
See Acts 10:43. Noting the development of systems such as "Dispensationalism," discuss whether or not the Bible recognizes the progressive development of God's plan through various dispensations. If not, explain your view of salvation. If so, explain how people were saved in the Old Testament, noting specifically how salvation in that dispensation relates to the salvation of this dispensation, the Church Age. Were there different plans of salvation for different dispensations?
Progressive revelation means that later revelations are complementary not contradictory. Each step reveals more truth to God’s people. Later revelations do not negate the former; they simply replace them. If two commands are at odds, the interpreter must remember that they are not for the same people at the same time. Since they were not given for all, but only for a specified time, they do not conflict when they change.
The greatest example of progressive revelation is Jesus Himself. He is the true mystery revealed in the New Testament, God coming to earth in human form to be the perfect sacrifice allowing all of mankind to find true salvation. Yet, this sacrifice comes with a condition, the condition of acceptance. Acceptance is evidenced by believing that Jesus is the Christ, God in human form come to earth to act as the sacrifice for sin and the path to salvation.
John 14:1 (KJV)
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 3:36 (KJV)
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
While God frequently calls Himself Savior and Redeemer in the Old Testament (“ 1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. . . 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.” Isa 43:1, 3), the mystery of the God-man is the ultimate revelation of God saved for the period of grace as recorded in the New Testament.
Records 4 to 4 of 7
|
|
|
|
