Charts
A Dispensational Approach to the New Testament
Gospel Period Books | Acts Period Books | Post Acts Period Books | |
Matthew | Hebrews | Galatians | Ephesians |
Mark | James | 1 Thessalonians | Colossians |
Luke | 1 Peter | 2 Thessalonians | Philemon |
John | 2 Peter | 1 Corinthians | Philippians |
1 John | 2 Corinthians | Titus | |
2 John | Romans | 1 Timothy | |
3 John | Acts | 2 Timothy | |
Jude | |||
Revelation | |||
Here are some dispensational changes compared across three periods in the New Testament
Gospel Period | The Acts Period | Post Acts Period |
Almost exclusively Jewish | Jews still dominant, in first place | Jewish & Gentile Christians equal | ||
Abraham – 34 references | Abraham – 40 references | Abraham – 0 references | ||
Moses – 34 references | Moses – 54 references | Moses – 1 ref. (2 Tim.3:8) | ||
Mosaic Law for Jews, including Christ | Mosaic Law for Jews, Christian and non-Christian, no Sabbath for Gentile Christians | No Sabbath for Jewish Christians; no Sabbath for Gentile Christians | ||
Circumcision for Jews | Circumcision for Jews, Christian and non-Christian; no circumcision for Gentile Christians | No circumcision for Jewish Christians and no circumcision for Gentile Christians | ||
Sabbath for Jews | Sabbath for Jews, Christian and non-Christian; no Sabbath for Gentile Christians | No Sabbath for Jewish Christians; No Sabbath for Gentile Christians | ||
Old & New Covenants | Old & New Covenants | No Covenants | ||
Christ’s second coming could follow soon after His first | Christ’s second coming could be soon | Christ’s second coming no longer imminent | ||
Instant & complete healing for Jews and ‘odd’ Gentile or two | Instant & complete healing for Jews and a few Gentiles | No instant & complete healing ministry for either Jews or Gentiles | ||
No tongues | Speaking in tongues as a ‘sign’ to Israel of unbelief (1 Corinthians 14:22) | No tongues | ||
Many ‘definitive’ prayers; i.e. ‘will’ receive | Jewish letters: many ‘definitive’ prayers. Paul’s letters: many ‘petitionary’ prayers; i.e. ‘may’ receive |
Most prayers ‘petitionary’; i.e. ‘may’ receive | ||
One baptism in water by men | Two baptisms a) in water by men b) in Spirit by Christ Water baptism necessary for Jewish Christians to receive Spirit. Water baptism not needed for Gentiles to receive the Spirit. |
One baptism in Spirit by Christ. Christians receive the Spirit upon believing the gospel of salvation. Water baptism not necessary. |
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Leaders appointed by Christ | Leaders appointed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28) | Leaders appointed by men (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:5-9) | ||
Evil spirits – 9 references | Evil spirits – 5 references | Evil spirits – 0 references | ||
Demon possession – 32 references; Demons – 37 references | Demon possession – 1 reference; Demons – 9 references | Demon possession – 0 references; Demons – 1 reference (1 Timothy 4:1-3) |
Interactive Chart
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