God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

SECTION V. THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST PLEASE NOTE: We now begin the last major part of the Catechism. In the previous Section we studied the six major covenants mentioned in the Old Testament. The rest of this Course will be a detailed study of God's last covenant with mankind - the New Covenant of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Sacraments and experiences of the Church will be carefully examined as the fulfillment of this Covenant. And, of course, since Jesus Himself is the very heart of the New Covenant, we will study what He has done, is doing now and what He will yet accomplish in the Church. LESSON l: THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE 1. WHAT DOES "GRACE" MEAN? "Grace" means unmerited favor or undeserved kindness. 2. WHAT IS THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE? The Dispensation of Grace is this present period of time in which "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man" is extended. This period of time is sometimes called the Church Age or Dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4, 5; Romans 3:21, 22. Refer to the Dispensational Chart on page 117. 3. WHAT THE PURPOSE FOR THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE? Under the Dispensation of the Law God demanded righteousness from man; under the Dispensation of Grace, God gives righteousness to man. The purpose, then, for the Dispensation of Grace is to impute righteousness to man whereby he can have fellowship with God. Romans 8:3,4; Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 2:8, 9. 4. HOW DOES THIS DISPENSATION OF GRACE DIFFER FROM THE DISPENSATION OF LAW? A. Law is connected with Moses and works; Grace with Christ and faith. John 1:17; Romans 10:4-10.

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