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The Dispensation of Grace
1. Ephesians 3:1-2 – Have Ye Heard of the Dispensation
a. “this cause” – ch.1 = the purpose; ch2 = the nature; ch3 = the mission of the church
b. Paul is the pattern 1Ti 1:16, prisoner Eph 3:1, & preacher of Gentiles 1Ti 2:7,2Ti 1:11
c. Paul was imprisoned for the mystery among Gentiles – 2Ti 2:8-9, Col 4:3, Eph 6:20
d. You don’t make any friends teaching this? Heed Paul’s advice … 2 Tim 1:8
e. “if ye have heard” – who has? Not many know “dispensation” is in the Bible.
f. Dispensation: a revelation ordaining God’s ways of dealing with us, and us with him
i. It is not only an economy, stewardship, administration, leave the word alone
g. See the dispensation given here: Acts 26:16, 9:15, Rom 1:5, 11:13, 15:15, 1Cor 4:1,
9:17, Gal 1:15, 1Th 2:16
2. Ephesians 3:3-5 – The Revelation of the Mystery of Christ
a. “by revelation” – Gal 1:11-12 - Which is not how you learned it – Eph 3:9, 2Ti 2:15
i. Revelation means it is no longer a mystery (kept secret)
b. “as I wrote afore” – In chapters 1 and 2, but also in his previous epistles
c. “when ye read” – No one reads this chapter – Bible reading is necessary.
i. “Have ye not read?” – Ps 119:97-104, Mat 21:42, Col 4:16, 1Th 5:27,1Ti 4:13
ii. The scriptures speak of Christ John 5:39; read Paul for the mystery of Christ
d. “understand my knowledge” – Which would not matter, unless it was given to Paul
e. “other ages… not known” – ages = time… see Col 1:25-26 – generations = people.
f. “as it is now revealed” – Was it hidden in prophecy? a denial of Rom 16:25
i. It was not hidden in the OT, it was hid in God – Eph 3:9
ii. … from before the world – 1 Cor 2:7, Titus 1:2, 2 Tim 1:9, Rom 16:25
iii. Not hid before the world began -
Luke 1:68-70, Acts 2:29-30, 3:21,1Pe 1:10
g. “holy apostles and prophets” –There are apostles/ prophets in the BoC - 1Co 12:28

Ephesians 3 (KJV)
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¹ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
² If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Ephesians 3 (KJV)
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³ How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
⁴ Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
⁵ Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;