A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of
the will of God. Seven such dispensations are ditinguished in Scripture.
1. The First Dispensation: Innocency, Man was created in innocency, placed in a perfect environment, subjected
to an absolutely simple test, and warned of the consequences of disobedience.
The woman fell through pride; the man deliberately (1 Timothy 2:14). God restored His sinning creatures, but the
dispensation of innocency ended in the judgement of Expulsion (Genesis 3:24).
2. Conscience (Genesis 3:23) Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence
he was taken.
3. Human Government (Genesis 8:20) And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took bof every clean beast, and of every
clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
4. Promise (Genesis 12:1) Now the Lord has said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from
thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
5. Law (Exodus 19:8) And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord has spoken we
will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
6. Grace (John 1:17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
7. Kingdom (Ephesians 1:10) That in the dispensation 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:
