How the Bible Interprets Itself
To Whom the Word is Written
- Part II Administrations I
Living Abundantly
According to God's Word Series
Read Time: 7 Minutes
There are different administrations in the Word of God. An example of different administrations would be the presidencies in the U.S.A., policies change and they change laws so some laws that applied in the 1800's are no longer valid today. There are also different administrations in the Word of God.
I Corinthians 9
:16 For though I preach the gospel,
I have nothing to glory of:
for necessity is laid upon
me;
yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
:17 For if I do this thing willingly,
I have a reward:
but if against my will,
a dispensation [an administration] of
the gospel is committed unto me.
The word "dispensation" should more accurately be translated administration. Whether Paul wanted to preach the Word willingly or not was beside the point, Paul was charged with the responsibility of preaching God's Word to the Jews and Gentiles in the administration of the Church of Grace.
From studying the Word of God it appears that there are 7 different administrations God has setup.
- Original Paradise
- Patriarchal Administration
- Law Administration
- Christ Administration
- Church of Grace
- Appearing Administration
- Final Paradise or Glory Administration
Original Paradise encompasses the time from creation until Genesis 3:24 when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, which resulted in their losing their holy spirit connection with God and God banishing them from the Garden.
Genesis 3
:23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden,
to till the ground from whence he was taken.
: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.
That connection that Adam, Eve and God had was broken. Anytime God wanted to communicate with man He had to send messengers (angels), phenomena (the burning bush) or talk to the spirit of God that was upon the individual.
The Patriarchal Administration is the rest of Adam & Eve's life, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Israel and through the captivity until the law was given to Moses. At this time there was no written law, the Patriarchs taught their children who God was and what He would do for them and that they were to look for a messiah.
Romans 5
:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world,
and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned:
:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there
is no law.
:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over them that had not sinned
after the similitude of Adam's transgression,
who is the
figure of him that was to come.
Before the law was given they could not transgress it or be held accountable for sinning against it. Also death reigned, what death? God said when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of good and evil "thou shalt surely die," that is an absolute. What died? They lost the spirit of God that was upon them.
The Law Administration spans the time from the receiving of the law by Moses to the presence of Jesus Christ. Once the law was given to Israel they were required to keep it. Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law and prepare us for the next administration.
Romans 10
:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that
believeth
Galatians 3
:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,
being made a curse for us:
for it is written,
Cursed is every one that
hangeth on a tree:
The Christ Administration is the time when Jesus Christ was personally on earth fulfilling the law. It is the Gospel period. The law was still in effect.
The fifth administration is the Church of Grace Administration. Since Jesus Christ came and fulfilled the law we are free from it.
Galatians 3
:21 Is the law then against the promises of God?
God forbid:
for if there had been a law given
which could have given life,
verily
righteousness should have been by the law.
:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin,
that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to
them that believe.
:23 But before faith [the faith of Jesus Christ] came,
we were kept under the law,
shut up unto the faith which should
afterwards be revealed.
:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,
that we might be justified by faith.
:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
In the Church of Grace we are all children of God when we believe; when we make Jesus Christ lord in our lives and believe that God raised him from the dead we belong to the body of Christ.
Ephesians 1
:22 And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 2
:4 But God,
who is rich in mercy,
for his great love wherewith he loved us,
:5 Even when we were dead in sins,
hath quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;)
:6 And hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
:7 That in the ages to come
he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God:
:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. [not of the works
of the law, it couldn't save us or give us life]
:10 For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good
works,
which God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them.
Ephesians 3
:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation [administration] of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
We live in the Church of Grace Administration. This administration will remain in affect until Christ returns; that will surely change things.