The dispensations

• Innocence• Conscience• Government• Promise• Law • Grace• Kingdom

Missions History of Missions

Dr. Robert PattonMissionary to Suriname,

South America

The dispensations Innocence Conscience Government Promise Law Grace Kingdom

The Gospel was for all mankind

Innocence – Adam & Eve Conscience – From the fall to the

flood Government – Noah to the tower of

Babel God at this time was dealing

with all mankind

The good news started with Adam and Eve

Mankind owed their very existence to God, and He established the way men should relate to Him

He established the consequences of rebellion – separation from the very source of life = spiritual and physical death

Adam and Eve separated from Eden

God established the way for restoration

God showed the cost of sin, but also supplied a substitute and showed men how to approach Him for forgiveness

Mankind abandoned God following the rebel Satan

Cain actually murdered his own brother in the context of religious worship

Cain and Abel

God sent a warning by Enoch

Jude[14] And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,[15] To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

God sent another warning by Noah

He preached 120 years but was ignored and ridiculed

Mt. 24:[38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,[39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Noah’s ark

God still was the God of the nations

God dispersed the nations after Noah, and especially by changing languages at the tower of Babel after idolatry began

Acts 17:[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Tower of Babel

God still was the God of the nations

Acts 17:[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:[28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

But mankind descended into idolatry

[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.[22] Pro-fessing themselves to be wise, they became fools,[23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

But mankind descended into idolatry

Rom. 1:[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Promise

Abraham was selected – but God’s plan was to reach all people:

Genesis 12:3…And I will bless them that bless the, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Promise

Abraham was called out of Ur of the Chaldees to come out of the idolatry there, but to begin a nation which would be an example to all nations

Ultimately God wanted all nations to come to Him through the example of Abraham and his descendents – including the Lord Jesus Christ

Abraham leaves Ur

The patriarchs

The promise to Abraham was given also to Isaac and Jacob who were to be witnesses to the living God

Jacob was slow to learn, but he did bless Pharaoh before his death, and also prophecied about the blessing of Judah to all peoples (Gen. 49:10)

The patriarchs

Joseph ministered to Egypt and the surrounding countries in addition to saving his people

Job, the most righteous man of his day, was about the time of Abraham. He was not, of course, a Jew

Joseph rules Egypt

Job’s wife mocking Job

Moses

God judged Egypt and her gods. God said to Pharaoh Ex. 9:[16] And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

The message was to all people – serve the living God

The plague of hail and fire

The plague of hail and fire

The Red Sea returns on the Egyptians

God spoke to Moses at the giving of the law

Exodus 19:[3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;[4] Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

God spoke to Moses at the giving of the law

Exodus 19:[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:[6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Giving of the 10 commandments

Israel failed at Kades-Barnea

Numbers 14:20] And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:[21] But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.[22] Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Israel failed at Kades-Barnea

Numbers 14:23] Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

The goal in the dispensation of Law

Israel was to be a light to all nations

Israel was to call all nations come to the true God

The law was given to show the desire and holiness of God

The law was given to show that we are all sinners

Israel showed compassion in a new way

Not only the widow and the orphan were protected, but also

The stranger was protected – and could be a bearer of the news to other countries

Gentiles could join Israel and participate

In the passover if they met the conditions

In making animal sacrifices and praying in the temple

Three of the women in the line of the messiah were gentiles – Tamar, Rahab and Ruth

Many of the Psalms are universal in application

Ps. 22:[27] All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Ps. 46:[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

175 references in Psalms to the entire earth…

Ps. 66:[4] All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

Ps. 67:2] That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.[3] Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.

Universal psalms

Ps. 100:1] Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.[2] Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.[3] Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Israel must witness

Ps. 96:[1] O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. [2] Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.[3] Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.[4] For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Some came to Israel

The queen of Sheba is an example during the reign of Solomon. See what Solomon had prayed earlier:

I Kings 8:[41] Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;

Solomon and the Queen of Sheba

Solomon’s prayer [42] (For they shall hear of thy great

name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;[43] Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

Solomon’s temple

There was some outreach

Jonah was a successful (though unwilling) missionary to Nineveh with the greatest revival in the Old Testament

Elijah went to the widow of Zarephaph

Elisha healed Naaman the Syrian general

Jonah, the reluctant prophet

Many prophets showed that God is the God of the nations

Mal. 1:[11] For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Prophets show God is the God of all nations

Micah 4:[1] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.[2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob;

Prophets show God is the God of all nations

and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.[3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Prophets show God is the God of all nations

Isaiah shows both the servant of the Lord, the messiah, and the servant of the Lord, Israel – are to reach out to the nations.

Israel to reach out:Isaiah

43:[9] Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

Israel to reach out:Isaiah

43:[[10] Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.[11] I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour

Isaiah to all nations

44:[8] Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

45:[22] Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

The fault of Israel

Israel became proud of knowing the law

Israel became proud of having the mark of a special relationship with God

Israel failed to keep the Law and fell into idolatry

Israel failed to recognize her own messiah – her Savior

God’s chastisement of Israel

God allowed Israel to go into captivity.

The country of Israel was more corrupt, and first was carried off to Assyria

Over a century later, the country of Judah was carried off to Babylon

Israel and Idolatry

Israel had been enticed to worship the gods of the nations around her

God allowed her to go to the very center of idolatry – Assyria and Babylon, where she was cured of her idolatry

Israel witnessed during the dispersion

Israel gave godly witness through Daniel and his companions, as well as Esther. Other godly Jews were sent throughout the nations

The synagogues allowed the worship of the true god in places throughout the world

Shadrack, Meshack & Abednego in fiery furnace

Daniel and the Lions

Haman begging mercy from Esther

Israel and the Word

The Hebrew Bible was distributed, and when the Septuagint was translated into Greek, a form of the Old Testament was made available to the nations

Israel failed in her task

Israel failed to show the glory of God to other nations, but tried to imitate the other nations – to have a king like them, and false gods like them

She became proud of her spiritual knowledge, but did not apply it to herself

Israel is a warning

When Israel failed to fulfill her task to the nations, God dispersed her

If the church fails to spread the word through missions, what can we expect?

Jesus came as Israel’s messiah

Jesus came and gave Israel a chance to fulfill her mission

Only after her rejection of Him did He turn to the gentiles

However, there are hints initially of a worldwide mission, though He came as King of the Jews

Jesus came as the promised messiah

Jesus fulfilled the Law – He alone Galatians 4:4 But when the

fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law 5. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Jesus showed clearly that He was the promised messiah

His ancestry through the line of Abraham and David

The location of His birth The time of His birth His miracles His teaching

The entire dispensation of grace was hidden in the Old Testament

Jesus presented Himself as king of the Jews.

His message – the kingdom of God is at hand

The leadership of Israel rejected Him as king

He was crucified and rose from the dead

Marks of a universal outreach

Simeon’s prophecy: Luke 2:[30] For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,[31] Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;[32] A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Marks of a universal ministry

John the baptist: Lk 3:[4] As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilder-ness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.[5] Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;[6] And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

John the Baptist statement

John 1:29[29] The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Behold the Lamb of God

Jesus’ own ministry

Outreach to the Samaritan woman in John 4

The Syrophonecian woman with a demon possessed daughter

Jesus cleansed the temple, stating it is a house of prayer for all nations.

Jesus and the Samaritan woman

Jesus cleanses the temple – a house of prayer for all nations

Jesus teaching after healing the centurion’s servant

Mt. 8:[10] When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.[11] And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus did miracles in the decapolis – heathen area

Healed a deaf man Cleansed a demonic Fed 4000 man

Jesus teaching had universal elements

Nazareth – showed that God did wonders for 2 gentiles – the widow of Zaraphaph and Naaman the Syrian

His disciples are the light of the world and the salt of the earth

The parable of the tares – the area is the world

The good Samaritan – vs. the priest

The transition from Israel to the world

Began with the invitation Mt. 11:28-29 Come unto me, all…

The parables of Mt. 13 had a universal flavor

Beginning in Mt. 16, he began to speak of His death

More transition

Jesus as the good shepherd Jn. 10:[16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Jesus before death: Jn 12:[32] And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Jesus parables before His death

Mt. 21:[42] Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?[43]Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Jesus prediction on the mount of Olives

Mt. 24:[14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The great commission was worldwide

Mk. 16:[15] And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Jn. 20:[21] Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

The great commission

Luke 24:[46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:[47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The great commission

Mt. 28:[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus promised to build his church

While on earth, Jesus promised that He would build His church (Mt. 16:18)

However, He was still living in the time of the Law, and the doctrine of the church for the age of grace was not yet come.

Jesus and worldwide salvation

Jesus showed Himself initially as the king of the Jews

As time went on, there were more and more indications of a worldwide ministry

The final commission was to go to all the world – not just the Jews

His disciples first expected Him to come now as king

Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7. And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power…

Ceremony of ascension of Christ

They had trouble understanding the commission

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth…

But how – will Israel again say to the nations: Come?

The Holy Spirit

Began the church by baptizing believers into the church on Pentecost, uniting Jews and gentiles into one body

Began to show the universal nature of the church

Spirit-filled witnesses boldly proclaimed Christ and 3000 were saved

Depiction of Pentecost in wood

The Holy Spirit and evangelism

Essential for evangelism and the New birth – John 3:3-5

Essential to convict men of sin, of righteousness and judgment