God had a planned the church before the creation of the world (Ephesians 3:10-11). But it was not made known until “the dispensation of the fullness of times” (1:9). The “dispensation of the fullness of times” is a statement filled with meaning. Jesus was sent into the world by the Father “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4). Jesus begins His ministry with this message: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). God’s plan had been kept secret until Jesus came and as such it was called a mystery. But when Jesus came the mystery became known. We now live in “the dispensation of the grace of God” which “in other generations” was not made known to mankind but now has been made known to us through the writings of the apostles of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3: 1-5).
“In the beginning God created…” Man sinned. But God had a plan. God chose the Israelites. They sinned. But God had a plan. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. But God had a plan. Jesus came. He was rejected and crucified. But God had a plan. All of these events took place under the watchful eye and according to the plan of almighty God. “In the fullness of time God sent forth His Son. . .to redeem (sinful man)” (Galatians 4:4,5).
God’s plan from the very beginning, was to save sinful man. But how could God do that? “In (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). And “in the dispensation of the fullness of times” God made known His plan to save us. This is what we study each week in Bible class. You don’t want to miss it!
Alton Norman
Owingsville church of Christ
Owingsville, KY