Talk:Dispensational Theology
Biblical covenants and promises to Israel do not apply to the Church.
Both the Old Testament and New Testament
are interpreted using literal grammatical-historical interpretation.
We reject the idea that the meaning of the Old Testament was hidden
and that the New Testament can alter the straightforward meaning of the Old Testament.
The New Testament contains new information
which can build on the Old Testament
but cannot change its meaning.
A definite distinction between Israel and the Church
Israel is an ethnic nation consisting of Hebrews (Israelites),
beginning with Abraham and continuing in existence to the present.
The Church consists of all baptized believers in this present dispensation
—i.e., from the start of the Church until the time of the rapture.
The distinction between Israel and the Church is not mutually exclusive,
as there is a recognized overlap between the two.
The Church started when Jesus was baptized.
The law ended when the veil was rent.
The overlap includes Jewish Christians like James, brother of Jesus,
who integrated Jesus' teachings into the Jewish faith,
and Christians of Jewish ethnicity
who held varying opinions on compliance with Mosaic law,
like Peter and Paul.
Premillennialists are dispensationalists who affirm a future,
literal 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ, Revelation 20:6
The millennial kingdom will be theocratic in nature
and not mainly soteriological
Innocence
Adam under probation prior to the Fall of Man.
Ends with expulsion from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3.
Some refer to this period as the Adamic period or the dispensation of the Adamic covenant or Adamic law.
Conscience
From the Fall to the Great Flood.
Ends with the worldwide deluge.
Human Government
After the Great Flood, humanity is responsible to enact the death penalty.
Ends with the dispersion at the Tower of Babel.
Abrahamic covenant
From Abraham to Moses.
Ends with the refusal to enter Canaan and the 40 years of unbelief in the wilderness.
Law
From Moses to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Ends at Calvary
Church Age
From the cross to the rapture of the saints
Millennial Kingdom
A 1000 year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1–6), centered in Jerusalem,
ending with God's judgment on the final rebellion.
The present-day Church is a "parenthesis" or temporary interlude
in the progress of Israel's prophesied history.
Israel as a nation will embrace Jesus as their messiah at them midpoint of the Tribulation.
