10
(3) In connection with the new phase of the age purpose that was related to a period called "before
the foundation of the world".
(4) In connection with the new sphere of blessing which was "far above all in the heavenlies"
The term "Dispensational Truth" therefore was necessitated by the re-discovery of the teaching of the prison
epistles in order that the unique blessings and privileges therein revealed may be kept distinct. Now why should we
use the words "Dispensational Truth"? We evidently desire to "register a difference". We see that truth is many
sided, Scriptural truth being one section. Now Scriptural truth itself needs differentiation or "rightly dividing".
There is prophetic truth, a term usually applied to that teaching of Scripture which deals with the restoration of
Israel, the millennial kingdom, the rise and destruction of Antichrist, and the Second Coming of the Lord. There is
practical truth, which deals with the believer's walk before God and man, and his manner of life in home, business
and church. There is doctrinal truth, which includes such basic teaching as that which relates to sin and death,
redemption, forgiveness, justification, the nature and attributes of God, the teaching of reward and punishment, &c.
The very tabulation of these various divisions of "truth" justify the distinctive names given above.
The third chapter of Romans provides a Scriptural illustration of the difference that exists between doctrinal and
dispensational truth. In the first verse the Apostle raises the question of Israel's dispensational privileges, saying:
"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?" (Rom. 3:1).
Observe the terms used. There is no question here of sin or death, redemption or atonement; it is "what
advantage", "what profit", "Jew", "circumcision". The answer to the Apostle's question is "much every way". One
important advantage which the Apostle brings forward is :
"Chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Rom. 3:2).
This was a distinct mark of favour:
"He sheweth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any
nation: and as for His judgments, they have not known them" (Psa. 147:19,20).
The state of the surrounding nations is expressed by Paul in Acts 17:30 as "the times of ... ignorance". In
Romans 9 the Apostle piles up the dispensational advantages of Israel. To them pertained the adoption, the glory,
the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, the promises, the fathers, and even the Messiah as
concerning the flesh. The Gentiles had none of these:
"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? MUCH EVERY WAY" (Rom. 3:1,2).
"What then? are we better than they? NO, IN NO WISE: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that
they are all under sin" (Rom. 3:9).
Here we have dispensational and doctrinal truth clearly distinguished. Dispensationally the Jew had great
advantages over the Gentile; doctrinally he had none. If it be a question of "advantage" the circumcision had it, but
if it be a question of sin, both Jew and Gentile stand upon a common platform of guilt needing a "common
salvation" received by "common faith", without respect of persons.
Now it is just here that misunderstanding has arisen to hide the truth and prevent its enjoyment. Some have
carried over such items as spiritual gifts into the dispensation of the Mystery, and thereby introduced confusion;
others have cut themselves off from the great treasury of legitimate doctrine, and have therefore failed to grasp the
fulness of some of the teaching of Ephesians.
What we need to remember is that at the setting aside of Israel a new dispensation was brought in, erected upon
the doctrinal foundation laid by the Apostle to the Gentiles. This note was sounded in Vol. 1, pp. 12 and 14, of The
Berean Expositor published in 1909 which contains the following :
"The Epistle to the Romans, whilst containing doctrine as true today as when first written, contains also
dispensational teaching which has passed away with the Pentecostal period".