How It’s Special
Some might argue that Paul and Peter’s Gospels were the same and the only difference in their mission was the audience. However, a close reading of the Book of Acts and Paul’s letters will show that the messages were also different. The Jewish disciples in Israel had to obey the law of Moses and all the teachings that Christ gave to the disciples while He ministered on earth (Matthew 28:20). Not so for the world’s Gentiles and the Jews outside Israel who responded to Paul’s Gospel of Grace. Paul spent the rest of his life explaining the differences between his Gospel and that of the Jewish disciples. Both groups worshipped the same Lord, but they followed Him in different Dispensations.
The word “dispensation” is the Greek word oikonomia. It translates as “household management.” It is the position, work, responsibility, commission or arrangement of an administration. Paul used the word for the “management” or “administration” of a spiritual household or economy. I’ve place an emphasis on the English words the NIV translators used for oikonomia.
“Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.”
(Ephesians 3:2-9)
“Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness–the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:24-26)
“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment–to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9-10)
“If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.” (1 Corinthians 9:17)
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work–which is by faith.” (1 Timothy 1:3-4)
We learn from Paul’s teachings that a spiritual “dispensation” or “administration” comes from God. He is the Chief Administrator. Paul was an assistant administrator carrying out God’s wishes. God worked differently with the Gentiles through Paul than with the Jews through Peter, James and John. The rules were different. The goals and objectives were different. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s the way God wanted it.