Dake Bible Discussion Board ⇒ Mid-Acts Dispensationalism

[Spiritblade Disciple]

And, then I asked Grok to harmonize Traditional Dispensationalism with Mid-Acts Dispensationalism.

Harmonizing Traditional Dispensationalism with Mid-Acts Dispensationalism

Harmonizing Traditional Dispensationalism with Mid-Acts Dispensationalism, using the King James Bible as the sole authority, requires a careful examination of their theological frameworks, key distinctions, and shared principles. Both systems are rooted in a literal, grammatical-historical interpretation of Scripture and emphasize dispensational distinctions in God’s dealings with humanity. However, they differ in their understanding of the timing and nature of the church’s inception and the application of certain biblical covenants. Below, I’ll outline their core tenets, identify areas of agreement and tension, and propose a harmonized framework grounded in the King James Bible.

Overview of the Two Systems

1. Traditional Dispensationalism:
   • Definition: Traditional Dispensationalism (TD), often associated with figures like John Nelson Darby and C.I. Scofield, divides biblical history into distinct dispensations, typically seven (e.g., Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law, Grace, and Kingdom). Each dispensation reflects a unique administration of God’s will for humanity.
   • Key Features:
     • The church began at Pentecost (Acts 2), with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4, KJV).
     • Distinguishes between Israel and the church as separate entities with distinct purposes in God’s plan.
     • The gospel preached in the early Acts period was the “gospel of the kingdom,” transitioning to the “gospel of grace” after Israel’s rejection of the Messiah.
     • Emphasizes a future literal fulfillment of Old Testament promises to Israel (e.g., Romans 11:26-27, KJV: “And so all Israel shall be saved…”).
     • Views the church as a parenthesis in God’s plan, with Israel’s program resuming in the future tribulation and millennial kingdom.
2. Mid-Acts Dispensationalism:
   • Definition: Mid-Acts Dispensationalism (MAD), associated with teachers like J.C. O’Hair and Cornelius Stam, posits that the church, the Body of Christ, began in the middle of the Acts period (typically around Acts 9 or 13) with Paul’s conversion or ministry, not at Pentecost.
   • Key Features:
     • The church is a distinct entity, the Body of Christ, revealed through Paul’s “mystery” (Ephesians 3:1-9, KJV: “the mystery… which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men”).
     • The “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24, KJV) is distinct from the “gospel of the kingdom” preached by Jesus and the Twelve (Matthew 4:23, KJV).
     • Pentecost (Acts 2) was part of Israel’s prophetic program, not the start of the church, as it involved Jewish believers under the Law (Acts 2:46, KJV).
     • The transition from Israel’s program to the church occurred gradually during Acts, with Paul’s ministry marking the shift to the dispensation of grace.
     • Like TD, MAD upholds a literal fulfillment of Israel’s promises but emphasizes the church’s unique heavenly calling (Ephesians 2:6, KJV).

Points of Agreement

Both systems share foundational principles that provide a basis for harmonization:

1. Authority of Scripture: Both rely on the King James Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, KJV).
2. Literal Interpretation: Both interpret Scripture literally unless the context demands otherwise (2 Peter 1:20-21, KJV).
3. Dispensational Distinctions: Both recognize that God deals with humanity differently across time periods (Hebrews 1:1-2, KJV: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past…”).
4. Israel-Church Distinction: Both maintain that Israel and the church are distinct, with Israel’s earthly promises (e.g., Jeremiah 31:31-34, KJV) separate from the church’s heavenly calling (Philippians 3:20, KJV).
5. Future for Israel: Both affirm a literal restoration of Israel in the millennial kingdom (Romans 11:25-27, KJV).

Points of Tension

The primary differences lie in the timing of the church’s beginning and the nature of the gospel in Acts:

1. Start of the Church:
   • TD: The church began at Pentecost (Acts 2), with the Spirit’s outpouring marking the birth of the Body of Christ.
   • MAD: The church began with Paul’s ministry (Acts 9 or later), as the Body of Christ was a “mystery” not revealed until Paul (Ephesians 3:3-5, KJV).
2. Gospel Message:
   • TD: The gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 10:5-7, KJV) transitioned to the gospel of grace during Acts, with overlap in the early chapters.
   • MAD: The gospel of the kingdom was distinct and tied to Israel’s program, while the gospel of grace was revealed to Paul for the Gentiles (Galatians 1:11-12, KJV).
3. Role of Acts 2:
   • TD: Views Acts 2 as the church’s inauguration, with Jewish believers forming the early church.
   • MAD: Sees Acts 2 as part of Israel’s prophetic program, with Jewish believers operating under the Law until Paul’s revelation.

Harmonizing the Two Systems

To harmonize TD and MAD, we can propose a framework that respects their shared commitments while addressing their differences through a careful reading of the King James Bible. The goal is to maintain the integrity of both systems’ emphasis on dispensational distinctions while resolving the timing and gospel issues.

1. The Church’s Beginning:
   • Harmonized View: The church, as the Body of Christ, began with the ministry of Paul (Acts 9 or later), but Pentecost (Acts 2) marked a transitional event that laid the groundwork for the church’s formation. Acts 2 fulfilled Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21, KJV) and was primarily for Israel, as Peter addressed “ye men of Judaea” (Acts 2:14, KJV). However, the Spirit’s work at Pentecost began a process that culminated in the revelation of the “mystery” through Paul (Ephesians 3:3-6, KJV).
   • Biblical Basis:
     • Acts 2 emphasizes Jewish believers under the Law (Acts 2:46, KJV: “continuing daily… in the temple”), suggesting it aligns with Israel’s program.
     • Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) and commission to the Gentiles (Acts 26:17-18, KJV) mark the revelation of the Body of Christ, distinct from Israel’s program (1 Corinthians 12:13, KJV: “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body”).
     • The “mystery” of the church, where Jews and Gentiles are co-equal in one body, was hidden until Paul (Ephesians 3:5-6, KJV).
   • Resolution: TD’s view of Pentecost as the church’s start can be reframed as the initiation of a transitional period, with the full revelation of the Body of Christ occurring through Paul, aligning with MAD.
2. The Gospel Message:
   • Harmonized View: The gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23, KJV) and the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24, KJV) are distinct but not mutually exclusive. The kingdom gospel, preached by Jesus and the Twelve, focused on Israel’s repentance and the imminent kingdom (Matthew 10:7, KJV: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”). The gospel of grace, revealed to Paul, emphasizes salvation by faith alone apart from the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV). During Acts, both messages coexisted as God transitioned from Israel to the church.
   • Biblical Basis:
     • In Acts 3:19-21, KJV, Peter preaches repentance for Israel’s restoration, tied to the kingdom program.
     • Paul’s gospel, received by revelation (Galatians 1:11-12, KJV), centers on Christ’s death and resurrection for all (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, KJV).
     • The transition is evident in Acts 15, where the Jerusalem Council acknowledges Gentile salvation apart from the Law (Acts 15:11, KJV: “through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved”).
   • Resolution: TD’s view of a gradual gospel transition can align with MAD’s distinction between the kingdom and grace gospels by recognizing Acts as a transitional book. The kingdom gospel waned as Israel rejected it, and the gospel of grace became prominent through Paul.
3. The Role of Acts:
   • Harmonized View: Acts is a transitional book, documenting the shift from Israel’s prophetic program to the dispensation of grace. Early Acts (chapters 1-7) focuses on Israel and the kingdom offer, while later Acts (post-Acts 9) emphasizes Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles and the Body of Christ.
   • Biblical Basis:
     • Acts 1-7 centers on Jewish believers and temple worship (Acts 5:42, KJV).
     • Acts 13:46 (KJV) marks a turning point, where Paul declares, “we turn to the Gentiles,” signaling the shift to the church’s program.
     • Romans 11:11, KJV explains Israel’s stumbling as an opportunity for Gentile salvation, supporting the transitional nature of Acts.
   • Resolution: TD’s emphasis on Acts 2 can be reconciled with MAD’s focus on Paul’s ministry by viewing Acts as a bridge between dispensations, with Pentecost as a preparatory event and Paul’s ministry as the revelation of the church.

Harmonized Dispensational Framework

Based on the King James Bible, the harmonized framework could be summarized as follows:

• Dispensational Structure: Adopt TD’s seven dispensations (Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law, Grace, Kingdom), but clarify that the dispensation of grace fully begins with Paul’s ministry (Acts 9-13), not Pentecost. Pentecost is a transitional event within the waning dispensation of the Law, fulfilling prophecy for Israel (Joel 2:28-32, KJV).
• The Church: The church is the Body of Christ, distinct from Israel, formed by the Spirit’s baptism (1 Corinthians 12:13, KJV) and revealed through Paul’s mystery (Ephesians 3:1-9, KJV). Its heavenly calling (Colossians 3:1-3, KJV) is distinct from Israel’s earthly promises.
• The Gospel: The gospel of the kingdom was for Israel, requiring repentance and faith in the Messiah’s imminent reign (Mark 1:15, KJV). The gospel of grace, revealed to Paul, is for all, emphasizing faith in Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 10:9, KJV). Acts shows the transition between these messages.
• Israel’s Future: Both systems agree that Israel’s promises remain intact (Romans 11:29, KJV: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”), with a future restoration in the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6, KJV).
• Acts as Transition: Acts documents the shift from Israel’s program to the church’s, with Paul’s ministry marking the full revelation of the dispensation of grace.

Scriptural Support for Harmonization

• Ephesians 2:11-13, KJV: Gentiles, once “far off,” are now part of the Body of Christ through grace, supporting MAD’s emphasis on Paul’s unique ministry.
• Acts 15:11, KJV: The Jerusalem Council’s acknowledgment of grace-based salvation for Gentiles aligns with TD’s view of a gospel transition.
• Romans 11:25-26, KJV: The temporary blinding of Israel until the “fulness of the Gentiles” supports both systems’ distinction between Israel and the church.
• Galatians 3:28, KJV: “There is neither Jew nor Greek… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus,” underscores the church’s unity, revealed through Paul (MAD), but built on the Spirit’s work from Acts 2 onward (TD).

Practical Implications

This harmonized view encourages believers to:

1. Study Scripture Rightly Divided: Recognize dispensational distinctions (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of truth”).
2. Focus on the Gospel of Grace: Preach salvation by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV) as the message for this age, while acknowledging Israel’s distinct promises.
3. Appreciate Acts’ Transition: Understand Acts as a historical bridge, not a uniform blueprint for the church today.
4. Uphold the KJB: Use the King James Bible as the final authority, ensuring interpretations align with its text.

Conclusion

Harmonizing Traditional Dispensationalism and Mid-Acts Dispensationalism is possible by viewing Acts as a transitional period, with Pentecost as a preparatory event for Israel and Paul’s ministry as the revelation of the Body of Christ. Both systems’ commitment to a literal interpretation and Israel-church distinction allows them to converge on a framework where the dispensation of grace begins with Paul, while acknowledging the Spirit’s work in Acts 2 as a precursor. The King James Bible provides the textual foundation for this synthesis, emphasizing God’s progressive revelation and distinct purposes for Israel and the church.

[Hill Top]

Q2: Have you studied Mid-Acts Dispensationalism? If so, have you embraced Mid-Acts Dispensationalism? Why or why not?

I disregard the whole theory.
With the "a little leaven spoils the whole bunch" in mind, I see they don't have any idea of the "mystery" they quibble about.
It is actually spelled out in Col 1:22..."To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
That in mind, do the MADs think Christ is NOT in the Jewish believers too ?

The entire doctrine simply frees them from adherence to God's Law, (ten commandments); and practically endorses sinning.
"Repentance from sin" is only for the Jews !...they say.
It also relegates water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins to the dumpster, making Jesus sacrifice unnecessary.

[Spiritblade Disciple]

I see they don't have any idea of the "mystery" they quibble about.
It is actually spelled out in Col 1:22..."To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
That in mind, do the MADs think Christ is NOT in the Jewish believers too ?

I don't know what they would say about whether or not Christ is in Jewish believers, today. My guess is that they might say that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile. So, "Jewish" believers today would no longer be Jewish. But, I have no idea whether or not that guess is accurate.

[Spiritblade Disciple]

The entire doctrine simply frees them from adherence to God's Law, (ten commandments); and practically endorses sinning.
"Repentance from sin" is only for the Jews !...they say.
It also relegates water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins to the dumpster, making Jesus sacrifice unnecessary.

M.A.D. definitely makes water baptism unnecessary. But, then all those that say that water baptism is just an ordinance, rather than a sacrament really do the same (in my possibly flawed opinion).

M.A.D. definitely doesn't teach that repentance from sin or adhering to any laws is necessary for salvation in this dispensation.

Someone once said something like, the definition of heresy is applying something that is true in one dispensation to another to which that truth isn't true. It's an interesting line of thinking.

I don't see how anyone could conclude that Mid-Acts Dispensationalism makes Jesus sacrifice unnecessary. To me, M.A.D. seems to entirely depend upon it as their salvation doctrine demands belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Do you believe in dispensationalism, at all?

[Hill Top]

I see they don't have any idea of the "mystery" they quibble about.
It is actually spelled out in Col 1:22..."To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
That in mind, do the MADs think Christ is NOT in the Jewish believers too ?

I don't know what they would say about whether or not Christ is in Jewish believers, today. My guess is that they might say that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile. So, "Jewish" believers today would no longer be Jewish. But, I have no idea whether or not that guess is accurate.

Their premise would deny Christ is in Jews...they are separate from Christianity.
It seems they were left behind at the beginning of the NT, and stuck in what they call OT rites...repentance from sin and baptism being the chief points of that error.
They seem oblivious to the fact that Paul was a Jew, and had repented of sin, and been baptized !
MAD is based on separation, when Christ brought unity.

[Hill Top]

The entire doctrine simply frees them from adherence to God's Law, (ten commandments); and practically endorses sinning.
"Repentance from sin" is only for the Jews !...they say.
It also relegates water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins to the dumpster, making Jesus sacrifice unnecessary.

M.A.D. definitely makes water baptism unnecessary. But, then all those that say that water baptism is just an ordinance, rather than a sacrament really do the same (in my possibly flawed opinion).

Without faith in what water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin accomplishes, there just isn't faith at all.

M.A.D. definitely doesn't teach that repentance from sin or adhering to any laws is necessary for salvation in this dispensation.

That error allows them to continue in sin without remorse.
They will pay a steep penalty for such devilishness.

Someone once said something like, the definition of heresy is applying something that is true in one dispensation to another to which that truth isn't true. It's an interesting line of thinking.

Is anything God commanded a bad thing ?
If one wants to do the whole Law, (though now unnecessary), it won't hurt him if he has done the things of the NT.
I would think though, that having received the gift of the Holy Ghost, his teachers/pastor would show him the differences between living under the Law and living in Christ.

I don't see how anyone could conclude that Mid-Acts Dispensationalism makes Jesus sacrifice unnecessary. To me, M.A.D. seems to entirely depend upon it as their salvation doctrine demands belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Knowing the truth of those things won't help without action on those things.
The devils believe, but they won't profit from that knowledge.
Who can actually say they believe in Jesus Christ without changing from what he once was ?
Repentance from sin and baptism accomplish those changes.

Do you believe in dispensationalism, at all?

Not the way it is presented.
I believe there is now a new covenant, and the old has passed away.
If one wants to call the covenants dispensations, I'm OK with that.
But to use it to refrain from obeying God's, Jesus', and the apostles commandments, is a gross error.

[Spiritblade Disciple]

I don't know what they would say about whether or not Christ is in Jewish believers, today. My guess is that they might say that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile. So, "Jewish" believers today would no longer be Jewish. But, I have no idea whether or not that guess is accurate.

Their premise would deny Christ is in Jews...they are separate from Christianity.
It seems they were left behind at the beginning of the NT, and stuck in what they call OT rites...repentance from sin and baptism being the chief points of that error.

It does seem that way. They definitely think there was a different Gospel for the Jews than for the Gentiles.

[Spiritblade Disciple]

They seem oblivious to the fact that Paul was a Jew, and had repented of sin, and been baptized !
MAD is based on separation, when Christ brought unity.

Interesting point. I asked Google's AI about it. Here is what it said.

According to Mid-Acts Dispensationalism, Paul was baptized as an obedient, transitional act under the Kingdom program, not as a theological necessity for salvation under the dispensation of grace, which began after Pentecost and focuses on spiritual baptism into the Body of Christ rather than water rituals. His baptism by Ananias in Acts 9 was a Jewish practice that followed his conversion but was part of God's progressive plan for Israel, which differed from the heavenly mystery of the Body of Christ revealed to Paul later. [1, 2, 3]

Contextualizing Paul's Baptism [1, 2, 4]

Transitional Act:
Paul's baptism was an obedient, immediate action following his dramatic encounter with the resurrected Christ in Acts 9. It occurred during the early period of the Acts church, when Jewish practices were still prominent before the full revelation of the "mystery" to Paul.

Kingdom Program vs. Dispensation of Grace:
Mid-Acts Dispensationalism differentiates between God's past programs for Israel (the Kingdom program) and the present dispensation of grace for the Church (the Body of Christ).

• Kingdom Program: Water baptism, as seen with John the Baptist and in Acts 2:38, was a prophetic act pointing to repentance and remission of sins within Israel's prophetic program.
• Dispensation of Grace: Paul's ministry involved a "gospel of grace without works" and the spiritual baptism of believers into the one Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, a distinct concept from the earlier water baptism.

The Significance of Paul's Later Statement

• 1 Corinthians 1:17:
Paul's statement, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (1 Corinthians 1:17), is interpreted as a key indicator of this shift. He was distinguishing his apostolic commission, focused on preaching the cross, from the work of baptizing, which he left to others. [1, 5, 6]

• Distinction from the Mystery:
Paul's baptism was a stepping stone within the earlier program, but the mystery of grace revealed to him emphasized that water baptism was not required for salvation or for the spiritual union within the Body of Christ. [1, 2]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.facebook.com/groups/1928135 ... 827803715/
[2] https://www.facebook.com/ralphmarkbmali ... 443183117/
[3] https://www.facebook.com/groups/5426352 ... 366097789/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle
[5] https://graceambassadors.com/tradition/ ... ul-baptize
[6] https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/ch ... to-baptize

[Spiritblade Disciple]

Do you believe in dispensationalism, at all?

Not the way it is presented.
I believe there is now a new covenant, and the old has passed away.
If one wants to call the covenants dispensations, I'm OK with that.
But to use it to refrain from obeying God's, Jesus', and the apostles commandments, is a gross error.

If memory serves, M.A.D. teaches that the New Covenant is for Israel, not for the One New Man of the Age of Grace (or Pauline Dispensation).

I think the key to disproving M.A.D. would likely be to show that they are wrongly dividing the Scriptures concerning dispensations or to prove that dispensationalism is false. The problem is there seems to be more than one version of dispensationalism. M.A.D. is just one. And, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that different M.A.D. groups believe somewhat differently about how to define M.A.D. and the dispensations it teaches and what's applicable to a particular dispensation and what's not.

[Hill Top]

I don't know what they would say about whether or not Christ is in Jewish believers, today. My guess is that they might say that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile. So, "Jewish" believers today would no longer be Jewish. But, I have no idea whether or not that guess is accurate.

Their premise would deny Christ is in Jews...they are separate from Christianity.
It seems they were left behind at the beginning of the NT, and stuck in what they call OT rites...repentance from sin and baptism being the chief points of that error.

It does seem that way. They definitely think there was a different Gospel for the Jews than for the Gentiles.

For sure.
They use the term "gospel of grace", thinking grace was never before available; while grace was mentioned as far back as Gen 6:8.

The "gospel" is what Paul said it was, in 1 Cor 15.
There had been plenty of other "good news" to write about before, and after that, but from the NT perspective, that is the "gospel".

Not to side-track this thread, or anything, but...Jesus' OT gospel was of the kingdom's arrival.
His resurrection brought it to pass.